It’s an event that attracts approximately 20,000 people and injects millions of dollars into the local economy, but for the second year in a row, the Murrumbateman Field Days have been cancelled.

Scheduled for the 16-17th of October, organisers determined the risks of snap lockdowns, and with many of their exhibitors at this stage unable to attend the event, the right decision was to err on the side of caution and cancel now before further commitments were made.

Despite being announced on the same day as the Canberra lockdown, the decision was made the day prior,

“The lockdown and everything happening in Canberra has kind of justified our decision,” said Manager of the Murrumbateman Field Days Tom White.

“The MPA Executive had their monthly executive meeting and we discussed it there.”

“We looked at all the different bookings, the lockdowns and the snap lockdowns and with most of our exhibitors unable to attend the event.”

“We were in touch with all the other Field Days about what they were doing and obviously a heap of them were cancelled. We took all of that into account and decided to cancel the event,” he said.

Tom was particularly excited for this year’s event after witnessing the results of two other Field Days.

“I attended two Field Days events this year. One down in Victoria and one up in Newcastle in the Hunter Valley and both those Field Days had record attendance numbers after their year break,” he said.

A Yass Valley Council estimate said the most recent event in 2019 received approximately $1.5 million in visitor spend. However, this figure doesn’t take into consideration the impact it has on the wider economy, including local petrol stations, pubs, cafes, motels e.t.c.

It now means the Murrumbateman Field Days, which have been running for over 40 years, have now missed two years straight. Tom was hopeful it would be the last cancellation of the event due to Covid.

“Thanks to everyone who booked a site. Unfortunately we’ve had to close up shop this year and do it all again next year.”

“We look forward to seeing everyone back in 2022. We’re definitely planning on running it again next year,” he said.

Next year’s event is scheduled for 15-16 October.

Max O’Driscoll