Man From Snowy River Bush Festival organisers have made the gut-wrenching decision to cancel the Upper Murray event for only the second time in its history.
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The festival committee held onto the remote hope the event could be rescheduled this year after the worsening COVID-19 outbreak led to its postponement in mid-March.
But the decision to cancel for the first time since 2008, when the horse flu struck, was made at a board meeting on Monday night.
"Despite our very best efforts to move to a later date this year and considering government advice and increased public concern to protect the health of stakeholders and visitors, we have had to make the incredibly difficult decision to cancel altogether," festival general manager Jenny Boardman said.
"For a community that was shattered from the effects of the January bushfires, our festival was Corryong's one bright light in a fairly dark tunnel.
"Our incredible team of workers were weary, but ready for a great festival, over 550 volunteers were poised, the camping was sold out, online sales were ahead of last year.
"In this toughest of times we are asking for your help to support this not for profit, community run event."
The festival is offering refunds to all ticket holders, but also is also asking for support from fans.
The double whammy of losing over $200,000 of plant and equipment in bushfires and then have to carry over expenditure for another 12 months has put severe strain on festival resources.
"We need our supporters to stay with us and carry over their bookings to 2021," Ms Boardman said.
"We have provided a number of options for this to take place."
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A September timeslot and the Melbourne Cup weekend in November were investigated as replacement dates.
The 2021 festival will be held from April 8-11.
The facility, which has attracted federal, state and local government funding support, had a target completion in time for the festival which was originally scheduled to officially begin in Corryong tomorrow..
The project delivery has also been impacted by the Upper Murray bushfires which burnt to the edge of the recreation reserve on New Year's Eve.
"It's been unbelievable really," reserve committee of management president and Towong Shire deputy mayor Andrew Whitehead said.
"They didn't get back on site until January 21 after basically having the slab down and a bit of framework up before Christmas.
"We just need a use for it, but that will come."
Kiewa Valley-based Barton Street Developments built the centre.
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