COVID-19 cancels more regional events

Jamestown Show president Matt Scharkie said the ongoing outbreak in NSW had created concern for organisers.

"Broken Hill, NSW, is the next closest service centre to us, there's a lot of people going backwards and forwards through that area, especially for the agricultural industry," he said.

The Jamestown Show Committee drafted a COVID-19 Management Plan, but could not submit it for consideration due to the 5000-people capacity restriction on SA Health's submission criteria.

"We were rejected straight away," Mr Scharkie said.

"There were possible ways around it, but whether that would actually go through and how that looked was a big unknown, making it pretty tough to know what to do.

"(We would be) asking studs and sheep display owners to hold their stock back until October for us, when a lot of them would rather shear due to there being no other shows to go to.

"Looking at the benefit for them as a stud or commercial grower, it's easier for them to deal and manage their stock now, rather than hold back for the one event of the year.

"We've been trying to focus on growing and encouraging young people to be involved (in the show), so we're discussing ways that we can do a few little things - whether it is junior judging or information days to keep them involved."

Mr Scharkie said it would be a challenge to keep encouraging people to show stock, because they don't have stock prepared.

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"We have cancelled two years in a row and we've only ever cancelled one show before this in 1948 (because of) rain," he said.

The Riverland Field Days have also been cancelled in the past week.

RFD executive manager Tim Grieger said when the committee did a financial analysis of all options, members had to consider many "what ifs".

"If there was a sudden lockdown in SA, what would that do? If we cancelled later after committing to expenditures, what would that do?" he said.

"Or if we did commit and were able to push ahead and have half a field day, what would that mean in terms of less people through the gate?"

"As we were moving towards the event, we were at the point of having to make significant expenditure commitments on things like marquee hire, insurance and program production."

Mr Grieger said some exhibitors had advised they were not able to attend due to a shortage of product.

"The whole scenario we're talking about is due to COVID-19, the flow-on effect of lack of product from last year, carrying on into this year and possibly further," he said.

"This was in the best interest of the organisation, the volunteers, the exhibitors and the public and since then, the response we've had has been very supportive of the decision we've made, many expressing similar concerns of the risks and are looking forward to a brighter and better future next year."

Organisers have said they look forward to bringing their communities events in 2022 and hope to get the momentum back.

Penola, Port Elliot, Wilmington, Burra, and Keith & Tintinara District shows and Ceduna's Oysterfest have also announced the cancellations of their events.

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