COVID-19 has interrupted Gawler’s big event for the second year in a row – but this time, all hope is not lost.
Three weeks out from Gawler Show weekend, organisers last week announced the 2021 event would be postponed until November 20 and 21, when it is hoped the risk of the pandemic and its restrictions will have eased.
The Show was originally to have been held on August 28 and 29.
Gawler Agricultural, Horticultural and Floricultural Society president Claire Forgie said the decision followed a committee meeting last Tuesday, and discussion with stakeholders around a new date.
“It was disappointing we were in this position again after last year because we were really hoping to get back on track and normal as it were,” she said.
“We went through a really comprehensive list of what were the pros and cons of keeping it in August and the pros and cons of moving it to November.
“But essentially, what it came down to was the viability of space, because we are not allowed to have any indoor spacing at the moment, which would mean no indoor exhibitions or indoor animals.
“We couldn’t wait any longer to get two weeks out to hear the restrictions hadn’t changed.”
Before the state’s most recent lockdown, Show organisers had been working with SA Health towards a COVID management plan catering for up to 15,000 attendees at any one time.
Ms Forgie said the new dates were not without issue.
Being held in the fire danger season might reduce the likelihood of the CFS to attend, and its timing towards the end of the school year could hinder student involvement, she said.
Despite the hurdles, she said community response had largely been positive and understanding, with most grateful the event was not cancelled entirely.
“November will be a different experience, different weather, different timing, but we’ll make it work,” she said.
Show secretary Kate Cowell said the society would always act in the best interests of public health.
“We have made this decision to postpone the Gawler Show to protect our exhibitors, patrons, vendors, volunteers and the broader community,” she said. “It is important the Show is successful for all those involved and under the current guidelines this is not possible.
“...we are in an incredibly fortunate position to be able to reschedule and not cancel as other shows have had to do, we have all worked so hard.
“We must also make special mention to the Gawler Greyhound Racing Club, the Gawler Central Sporting Club and the Town of Gawler who have all supported this move to a later date.”
The Show is continuing to promote its new Grand Car Lottery as an income stream, while giving someone the chance to win a Toyota Yaris Cross GX, thanks to Peter Kittle Toyota.
New closing dates have been released for some of its competitions, most of which will now be October 13, except for literacy on October 29.
Meanwhile, the Horses in Action program will still go ahead on the original date of the Show, albeit over two days (August 28 and 29) instead of three and with the exclusion of the Encourage Ring.