THE Geltwood Festival’s major event has been cancelled on account of the coronavirus.
For many years, the ever-popular Market Day and Family Fun Day has been run in association with the Millicent Lions Club.
The attendance at the annual market day in George Street well exceeds the newly-imposed 500-person public gathering threshold by a factor of five.
As a result, the March 29 event has been cancelled but it may be held later in 2021.
Lions Club member and Market day convenor Alan Rolfe said the cancellation was regrettable, but made in the interests of public health.
Mr Rolfe said there had been discussions over the weekend with Wattle Range Council.
He said the market organisers did not want to risk the health of market goers or stall-holders.
At this stage, the other Geltwood Festival events from March 27-30 including exhibitions, displays and workshops are not understood to be impacted by the cancellation of the market day.
Meanwhile, there are no other confirmed cancellations as yet of community events across Millicent and district on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, with the Federal Government banning non-essential gatherings of 500 persons, some are unlikely to proceed.
A number of event organisers have told The South Eastern Times that decisions are being made in the near future.
The organiser of the Geocache convention at Millicent over Easter said it was “under threat”.
Monty Luke said the event was set to bring 800 participants to Millicent between April 10 and 13 but the situation was changing each day.
“We have been in regular contact with our insurance company along with Wattle Rane Council and the Millicent showgrounds,” Mr Luke said.
“Our committee is meeting tomorrow night (Wednesday) to make a decision.”
A large turn-out visits Railway Terrace in Beachport on Easter Saturday each year for a street market organised by the Beachport District Development Association.
Association president Ros Brown said her group would be meeting tonight (Tuesday) to decide on the fate of the market.
The 50th anniversary celebrations of the Millicent National Trust Museum are set down for April 4 but the impact of the coronavirus is not yet known.
The Millicent sub-branch of the RSL holds Anzac Day commemorative events each April 25 and it has been approached for comment.
Meanwhile, the surging demand for foodstuffs and households has prompted the Millicent Woolworths supermarket to curb its trading hours as a temporary measure.
Elderly and disabled customers can shop as usual from 7am today (Tuesday) while regular customers will be denied entry until 8am.
Similar arrangements apply at Woolworths supermarkets across the nation and are designed to assist vulnerable people to secure their needs.
Millicent manager Benny Peck said his Davenport Street store had experienced a significant upswing in turnover in recent days.
According to Mr Peck, a number of lines were either exhausted or being sold in restricted quantities and this situation was also posing challenges for his staff.
He said his staff had coped well with these circumstances.
“I ask for the cooperation of our customers,” Mr Peck said.
Long-time customer Alice Cruickshanks said she appreciated the fine level of customer service provided by the staff at Woolworths Millicent.
“I doubt that I will do my shopping in that hour from 7am,” Ms Cruickshanks said.
