Henty Machinery Field Days cancelled for first time in 50 years

The Henty Machinery Field Days, the nation’s largest outdoor agricultural event, has been cancelled for the first time in 50 years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mass gathering: Henty Machinery Field Days has been cancelled because of coronavirus fears. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

THE Henty Machinery Field Days, the nation’s largest outdoor agricultural event, has been cancelled because of the uncertainty surrounding large mass gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.

Henty Machinery Field Days chief executive officer Belinda Anderson said the Federal Government’s stage three rollout of restrictions made organising and planning this year’s event difficult.

The Henty field days, which have an economic value of more than $92 million, were due to be held on September 22-24.

“Without a clear path to the end of this pandemic and the full easing of social restrictions, the obstacles to running a successful, and more importantly safe field days, were insurmountable,” Mrs Anderson said.

“We are a national event and with state borders closed we would disappoint all our exhibitors from interstate along with the many visitors we have who attend from around the nation and overseas.

“This has been a difficult decision for organisers knowing it would disappoint all of our stakeholders, including members, staff, sponsors, exhibitors, community groups and visitors.”

Mrs Anderson said the HMFD co-operative would use the time provided to improve assets to ensure a bigger and better experience at the 2021 event on September 21-23.

“We thank everyone for their support and patience while we deliberated on the decision,” she said.

“The field days have been cancelled twice in their history due to economic recession in 1970 and 1971, and regrettably the HMFD Board was forced to make the call this year.

“We are devastated for the region, our volunteers, the 22 community organisations, thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors – it will be sorely missed.”

Mrs Anderson said the HMFD team is investigating options for a virtual format of the event in September.

Fallout from the pandemic has already seen the Farm World and AgFest field days cancelled this year.

A decision on this year’s Elmore Machinery Field Days, which are held annually in the first week of October, will be made early next month.

Elmore field days committee president Derek Shotton said mid-July was the latest it could make a decision.