Kyabram RV Country Music Festival cancelled due to coronavirus

Aug 20, 2020

DESPITE organisers’ best efforts to run the Kyabram RV Country Music Festival this year, the annual event has been postponed because of coronavirus.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The ninth year of the festival has been pushed back to November 2021, as border closures and stay-at-home directions prevent a high number of attendees.

Kyabram RV Country Music Festival president Allan Weeks said the committee avoided postponing the event for as long as possible.

‘‘We had to get 150 vehicles to break even this year but we couldn’t do it,’’ Mr Weeks said.

‘‘We hung off hoping things would change — but we just can’t take the risk of spreading the virus.

‘‘The committee is very disappointed they had to take this step, as it is a huge loss to local businesses.’’

The event is a significant part of the local community’s identity; it attracted about 600 people and 225 RVs in 2019, contributing more than $60,000 to the town’s economy.

Mr Weeks said running the festival was 12 months’ worth of work and as soon as one event ended, planning for the following year began.

“We start preparing in January to get flyers out in February, so people who are travelling can see them and pencil the event in their schedules.”

He said the festival attracted visitors from all over Australia and the committee was remaining positive for next year’s event.

“All artists and performers have been rebooked for the 2021 festival,” he said.

Highlights of the event include three nights of walk-ins that feature performances from members of the public, a bush market and a raffle — for which $19,000 in tickets were sold in 2019.