Decision to cancel 2020 Leeton SunRice Festival

16 Mar 2020 5:06 PM -

Leeton Shire Council management, in conjunction with the Leeton SunRice Festival Committee, will be calling off the 2020 SunRice Festival after the recent NSW Public Health Order banning events that could have 500 people or more in attendance.

As part of a global citizenry working collectively to prevent the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus the Festival organisers were strongly considering cancelling the event and had planned a meeting this week to make a final decision.

Leeton SunRice Festival Director Julie Axtill said the decision to not proceed with the large crowd events such as the Festival on Mountford, the Street Parade, and the Balloon Glow was inevitable, and she hopes the community understands the need to consider the health and wellbeing of all our residents. 

What is likely to still proceed is the Thursday 9 April “Shades of Green Cocktail Party” celebration of the wonderful work of the five ambassadors who have tirelessly raised funds over many months for local charities.  The winners will be announced on the night. However, with the COVID-19 situation and information evolving daily, organisers recognise that even this function may need to be reconsidered closer to the time. 

Council will also meet with the organisers of the other smaller fringe events that run over Easter to reconsider whether they proceed or not based on the advice of the NSW and Federal Governments. 

Council’s General Manager, Jackie Kruger, said that these decisions can be challenging to make as the situation can change daily. 

“Ultimately, we need to do our part to control this pandemic and Council will do its level best to ensure we are abreast of and fully implement government and regulatory bodies’ resolutions around COVID-19”. 

Council is committed to ensuring that the spread of COVID-19 is prevented and slowed down, and encourages anyone with flu-like symptoms to ring Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.