THERE'S a belief the Albury Show will still proceed at the end of October, despite similar events being cancelled across the Riverina and North East Victoria.
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However, the society that runs it has been forced to cancel its horse show on September 19 after the NSW regional COVID lockdown was extended this week to September 10.
The longer restrictions period has also forced organisers of Albury's Write Around the Murray literary festival to shift all their sessions online.
Some activities for the September 15-19 event were already set to be streamed, but festival co-ordinator Ann-maree Ellis said now all would be, regardless if the lockdown was lifted on September 10.
"(The extension) clarified it, because we were questioning the wisdom of having gatherings," she said.
"It will be all from home, it just feels like the wrong thing to invite people to gather.
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"As much as we wanted to have something there for people when they come out of lockdown, it was feeling too dicey, and not appropriate, given the volatility of the situation."
Events, which include book launches and discussions with authors such as Rick Morton, Emily Maguire, Jock Serong and Anita Heiss, will be accessible online via writearoundthemurray.org.au, for a $5 ticket.
Albury Show Society president Wal Blezard said it was decided on Thursday night to cancel his organisation's horse show which was to held at the Thurgoona equestrian centre on September 19.
He said logistical problems and the uncertainty of NSW and Victorian lockdown periods had prompted the move.
Mr Blezard was more optimistic that the annual show, which is scheduled to run from October 29 to 31, would be staged and not be cancelled at it was last year because of COVID-19 .
"We'll go ahead if it's possible, that's the way I'd put it at this stage," he said.
"We're anxious to do it."
Shows at Walbundrie and Wangaratta have been cancelled recently and the Albury Show is one of only three in the Riverina still earmarked to proceed.
The others slated for Junee and Wagga precede and follow Albury's agricultural showcase.
Mr Blezard said a final decision would be left as late as early October.
His positivity about the show being held is tied to an expectation that higher vaccine rates by late October will result in a more open society.
Mr Blezard said if campers were still stuck at show time they could be moved to another area of the grounds.
