There will be no New Year's Eve fireworks in Wodonga this year with uncertainty about COVID restrictions making it impossible for the event to go ahead.
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President of Wodonga Raiders Mark Johnston said the club, which hosts the event in conjunction with council, could not be sure crowds would be able to attend so made the difficult decision to cancel the annual display.
He said the event normally costs $20,000 for fireworks, rides and the carnival but in a year where the club's income has been minimal and crowds were not guaranteed it wasn't feasible.
"It was a number of factors but ultimately if we can't guarantee a certain income from the event we can't hold it," he said.
"We can't afford to lose money.
"The club has had minimal income [this year], we've had some support from our good sponsors but it's minimalist compared to normal sponsor support and we've had no income from functions, games or matches.
"We've also had a decrease in membership."
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The club has hosted the annual fireworks display for close to 15 years.
Mr Johnston said they couldn't keep waiting and hoping restrictions would ease enough to allow the event to go ahead, as it takes weeks to get permits and months to organise the rides and fireworks.
"It's very disappointing, not only were we disappointed but Skyworks who do the fireworks were very disappointed because it would have been their tenth year in a row doing it so they had plans for a grand fireworks display," he said.
'Hopefully we'll be able to run next year."
Across the Murray, Albury Trots confirmed in September their annual fireworks display would go ahead regardless of crowds.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
