Royal Melbourne Show cancelled for second year in a row
The Royal Melbourne Show will not go ahead this year after being axed due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
The show was due to kick off on Thursday September 23 and run until Sunday October 3, however organisers broke the news of cancellation today.
"The 2021 Royal Melbourne Show has been cancelled 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," the statement read.
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The Royal Melbourne Show has been cancelled for a second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine
The popular event has been a way for regional Victoria to showcase a bit of the country in the city. Nine
The cancellation is another major set back for Victoria's struggling events sector.
The Royal Melbourne Show attracts about 450,000 visitors over the 11 days it runs and contributes more than $244 million to the state economy.
It will be another major hit for state's agricultural industry.
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Usually taking place over the school holidays, families would normally set out in droves to attend. Nine
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant the 2020 Royal Melbourne Show cannot go ahead. Fairfax Media
President of the Royal Agriculture Society of Victoria (RASV) Matt Coleman said the decision to cancel the show was a difficult one.
"The Royal Melbourne Show is a much-loved major event that is a unique and valuable platform to promote and celebrate excellence in agriculture, with thousands of agricultural producers from rural and regional Victoria coming together at the Melbourne Showgrounds," Mr Coleman said.
Organisers said they hope the popular event will be able to return next year.
The site has been operating as a mass testing site over the course of the pandemic.
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