The Kempsey Show Society has been left with no other choice but to cancel the 2020 Kempsey Show.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
This is the second time in the show's 139-year history that it has been cancelled.
The decision follows a move to cancel the Sydney Royal Easter Show and a Federal Government plan to restrict gatherings of over 500 people because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
President of the Kempsey Show Society, Donna Clarke, said the decision is "very disappointing" for the Show Society.
"The Show Society was really looking forward to the show this year, a lot of the people who run the show are farmers and our farmers have had a really tough time lately due to the drought and the bushfires," she said.
"The show was going to be a community event for people to socialise.
"It would have been a boost to the community and the Show Society."
The Show Society had no other option than to cancel the show, but Donna said they are hoping to hold an event later in the year.
"A few years ago we had to postpone the show to September, and we're hoping we will be able to put something on later in the year.
"We won't know whether we're able to do that for a couple of months. We just don't know with the virus and how long community events will be cancelled for.
"If we're able to, we will move forward and do something for the community in September. But if not, all of our effort will be going towards planning the 2021 Kempsey Show and how we can make it bigger and better."
The Show Society is now in the process of contacting all vendors, entertainment and sponsors of the 2020 Kempsey Show.
The 2020 Kempsey Show was to be held on April 21 and 22.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Macleay Argus. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
