It's full steam ahead for plans for the 2021 Wingham Show after the green light was given last week from NSW Health for country shows to go ahead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This year's show was cancelled only one week ahead of the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when the community was still in the early stages of catching its breath and recovering from the bushfires and drought.
"It was heartbreaking, it really was. To give people's a week's notice that we had to cancel the show was a mammoth task and so horrible to go through," Wingham Show Society president, Elaine Turner said.
With country shows now able to take place, during a year which has seen cancellation after cancellation of community events because of the coronavirus, the committee is "over the moon."
"It's so exciting for us to be able to bring back the show," Elaine said.
"Our whole committee, when we got the news we all rang each other and there was a lot of cheering. It was wonderful news, it really was.
"The community is just so excited that it's coming back. Because that's who it's for. And all the people who want to enter into events."
While there are still some restrictions on holding country shows, the society is confident they can provide a COVID-safe event.
There is a limit of 5000 people a day through the gates, which Elaine says "wouldn't be a problem" for the Wingham Show.
"It's the show as normal, but there will be the COVID marshalls that will be wandering around making sure everyone's okay, we abide by the rules, hand sanitisation, wiping down chairs and tables - everything that we need to do," Elaine said.
"As far as everything else goes we're going to focus on 'let's live our lives as normal as we possibly can but still be healthy."
Social distancing by attendees must be observed, of course, and the the four metre square rule remains near the kiosk and the bar.
"We're looking at what bar restrictions we need to have in place," Elaine said.
"As we get closer to the show towards the beginning of February we'll be looking at exactly what restrictions are in place. But if we're prepared for the worst now, then it should get easier by then hopefully," she laughed.
The program for next year's show is the same program that was planned for this year's cancelled event. Beef cattle, junior judging and parading scores will still give additional points to qualify for the Sydney Royal Easter Show, however what form the Royal Easter Show is taking is yet to be decided by the NSW government and the Royal Agricultural Society.
Elaine said sponsors have been very understanding about the cancellation of this year's show, with many of them leaving their sponsorship in place for 2021.
"We've had great support from MidCoast Council, and our local politicians have been behind us really supporting us," she said.
"This has just lifted everybody's spirits again in what still are troubled times.
"It's all systems go!"
The 2021 Wingham Show will be held on March 12-14.