Millicent’s annual show has been cancelled this year due to staging difficulties and uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 virus.
The 144th staging of Millicent’s leading yearly social event was scheduled for November 6-8 with thousands expected to pass through the Solly Gates at the Gordon Memorial Oval.
However, the committee of the Millicent Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society decided to cancel the show when it met on Monday night.
Society president Neville Copping said he anticipated other shows scheduled for this region in the second half of 2020 would suffer the same fate as the cancelled shows at Millicent, Kingston and Penola.
Mr Copping said the additional manpower and resources needed to comply with COVID19 protocols was a major factor in the decision to cancel the show.
“There was some discussion among the 15 members at our committee meeting on Monday night to delay a decision about the 2020 Millicent Show for another few weeks,” Mr Copping said.
“It is not just us affected by the COVID-19 virus.
“I think a few other show societies in this region are also putting off their decisions.
“There was a strong majority among the Millicent committee on Monday night to cancel the show.
“We can limit our losses but we will lose a year’s income.
“There were matters of logistics such as getting the show book ready.
“There were also the sponsors and many businesses have had a hard year due the COVID-19 virus.
“It is a sorry state of affairs.”
Mr Copping was unsure about the possible governmentimposed restriction of numbers attending the Millicent Show.
He said the tough economic times of this year may have limited the spending of show goers.
The president said preparatory work had already been done for the 144th Millicent Show such as booking stunt pilot Chris Sperou.
Meanwhile, the everyday business of the Millicent Show Society goes on with ground and building maintenance and its RV park.
Mr Copping said Millicent was fortunate to receive a $75,000 grant from the Federal Government for a kitchen upgrade.
He said this was the largest single grant awarded to it in cash terms in the society’s history.
“The Federal Government handed out grants to 122 show societies across the country including 14 in South Australia,” he said.
“We have to work out a contract with the Federal Government this month.”
According to Mr Copping, there were other avenues being explored to use the showgrounds for events before the next scheduled show in November, 2021.
He said negotiations would be held with the organisers of the ride-on lawnmower races and motocross while an autumn flower show was another possibility.
In other show news, the Millicent Kennel Club will not learn until September 1 of the fate of its 2020 championship dog shows.
Such shows have been staged on an annual basis since 1964 with this year’s event also set down for November 6-8 in the grounds of the Millicent United Soccer Ground at McLaughlin Park.
Kennel Club secretary Julie Allen said her group would be guided by the directions of Dogs SA and the State Government.
She said the COVID-19 virus restrictions on social gatherings had led to cancellations of dog shows across the globe.
Ms Allen said around 300 people participate in the Millicent event each year.
