The Royal Melbourne Show Has Been Cancelled for the Second Year in a Row
It's only the fourth time that the event has been scrapped — following last year's cancellation, and also back during World War I and II.
Melburnians, if you were planning to pick up show bags, hop on rides and check out cute animals at this year's Royal Melbourne Show, we have bad news. As also proved the case in 2020, the event has been cancelled due to the pandemic.
In a statement released today, Wednesday, July 28, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria announced it had made the decision to cancel the 2020 show "due to the ongoing uncertainty and operational constraints, challenges and risks associated with holding major events with large free roaming crowds during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) President Matt Coleman said that "whilst the RASV Board is disappointed to make the decision to cancel the 2021 Royal Melbourne Show, we felt it important for all those planning to be involved in the event including exhibitors, competitors, judges, stewards, sponsors and volunteers that they have certainty so they can make informed decisions in relation to their own arrangements."
This year's event was due to take over the Melbourne Showgrounds from Thursday, September 23–Sunday, October 3. First held in 1855, this is only the fourth time in the show's 166-year history that it has been cancelled — with previous cancellations happening last year, and in 1915 and between 1940-1945 due to World War I and II, respectively.
The Royal Melbourne Show, which attracts around 450,000 visitors each year, joins a growing list of big events that have been impacted by the pandemic for two consecutive years — such as Bluesfest, Splendour in the Grass and Vivid Sydney.
News of the show's cancellation comes on the same day that Melbourne emerged from its most recent lockdown, which spanned almost two weeks. Gathering and venue restrictions remain in place, as always happens following the end of stay-at-home conditions.
The 2021 Royal Melbourne Show will no longer take place from Thursday, September 23–Sunday, October 3. For more information, visit the show's website.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Images: Flickr/Chris Phutully.
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