THE show will not go on this year after the 155th annual Penola Show was officially cancelled due to challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Penola Pastoral Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society voted unanimously at a meeting earlier this week to cancel the three-day event, scheduled for October 30 to November 1.
Show society president Kerry DeGaris said although the decision was difficult, community welfare concerns were compounded by declining sponsorship and fewer cattle shows after larger events, such as the Royal Adelaide Show, were cancelled.
While cattle exhibitions have been cancelled, online competitions for arts, craft and baking are being considered.
“We would not have any cattle shows this year due to the cancellation of larger shows and money from sponsors may also be tight this year due to the current economic circumstances,” she said.
“During our meeting we did speak about hosting some online competitions and I suspect we may look into that in the coming months, whether it is through social media or through professional judges.”
Ms DeGaris said the committee also discussed the implications of cleaning schedules needed for Rymill Hall, assuming social distancing guidelines would still be in place later this year.
“There would also be a significant increase in cleaning and sanitising for the hall and we just cannot ask our volunteers to put in all that extra effort when they already do so much,” she said.
“Also if the borders are still closed, then we will lose a large portion of patrons from towns just over in Victoria as well.
“As disappointing as it is this now means we can get on now and work on other things internally as well as building the Warner Pavillion Shed for next year’s event.
“We do not have the time to wait like other country shows do and it just means we can move onto other things we otherwise would not have time to do.
“The logistics behind running a show in these times is too complicated and challenging for us at the moment.”
The Penola event is the second show in the Limestone Coast to cancel due to COVID-19, with the Kingston Show scheduled for October 4 mothballed earlier this year.
