COVID-19 has disrupted New Year's Eve events in the North East, but a welcome off-shoot has been increased tourism with the closed state border.
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While family fireworks at the Wodonga Raiders will be the biggest event missed in the city, the region's rodeo calendar has been heavily affected.
The Tallangatta (December 31) and Wangaratta (January 9) rodeos have been cancelled.
The latter event was officially called off on Tuesday, after also being postponed and then cancelled in January due to the fire emergency.
Tumbarumba's January 1 event will not run either.
Myrtleford's Golden Spurs Rodeo did not go ahead on Boxing Day for the first time in 67 years.
Rodeo secretary Darren Murphy said there had been postponements due to wet weather, but not a cancellation.
"It was disappointing for a lot of people," he said.
"It's not just our Lions Club affected, but the football club that caters and all the local vendors.
"Even on today's numbers, I'm not sure what you would get.
"We would have had to lay out the viewing platform with density limits.
"The logistics of running a COVID-safe event just outstripped us.
"We're looking forward to a bigger and better rodeo next year and Alpine Shire is helping with strategic planning."
Mr Murphy said despite this, Myrtleford was busy with travellers, with Victorians unable to visit parts of NSW.
"The eateries and cafes are well-patronised and I know the caravan park is full," he said.
"They've got eight months of trade to make up - they're a long way from being out of the woods - but either way, it's nice to have people holidaying in the North East."
Visitation is also up at the Bundalong Tavern, where the INXSIVE tribute show is scheduled to run tonight for up to 500 people.
Owner Brett Butler booked the show again after having them in 2019.
"We only locked it in two weeks ago - it was on the cards, but we couldn't lock anything in until we knew numbers," he said.
"It's tough organising any event in this climate. There's still restrictions on how many people you can have inside and out.
"Regional Victoria is booming at the moment, people are coming from everywhere.
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"There's lots of new faces without boats, people up from Melbourne checking out the area."
There were no changes to regional NSW celebrations included in Premier Gladys Berejiklian's advice announced yesterday, but Sydney-siders have been restricted to five people to welcome 2021 at home.
