AFTER completing rejuvenating and revamping the 2021 Leeton Outback Back Spectacular, organisers have been forced to cancel the event.
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Due to be held in early November, the spectacular was going to be held in the open air at the Leeton Town Ovals with workshops, jam sessions and concerts all planned.
However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown in some areas where bands come from, and rules still restricting music and singing, meant the committee behind the event had no other choice but to cancel.
"Bands have not been allowed to rehearse for some time now meaning that any bands interested in participating would have, at the most, four weeks to prepare for the weekend," Leeton Town Band secretary Ruth Tait said.
"It seems most likely that this restriction on such gatherings will not be lifted until October at the earliest.
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"As a consequence, it is our opinion that this does not allow enough time to prepare our best performances that the public has been afforded since the band spectacular's inception, and now expects and deserves."
Mrs Tait said it was disappointing after all of the hard work put in by the committee and organisers to effectively come up with a "plan B" before it was even required.
However, this was before the outbreaks across the state and the subsequent lockdowns occurred.
"Given our event was to be held in a large marquee on the Leeton No. 1 Oval, a large amount of preparation, planning and permissions is required and even then experience teaches us that the event could still be cancelled at very short notice in the same way as this year's art deco festival," Mrs Tait said.
"Our current plans will be carried over to 2022.
"The various sponsors have begun to be contacted ... a number of them have asked that their sponsorship money be kept by the band and put toward the 2022 event - a great show of support."
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