THE boss of Henty Machinery Field Days is hopeful the expo will happen this spring, despite governments yet to commit to lift crowd caps.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The agricultural showcase is scheduled to be held from September 22 to 24.
Field days chief executive Belinda Anderson said she was optimistic about the event proceeding despite COVID-19 complications.
"We're hopeful, it will just depend if we can deliver on the restrictions that will be placed on us, making it safe for everybody," Mrs Anderson said.
"We've tried to mentally cover all scenarios and procedures and we believe we can do it."
The field days usually draw 15,000 patrons each day and Mrs Anderson would like to see 8000 to 10,000 come through the gates per day this year.
She said given the large size of the field days site, even 20,000 could be accommodated under a social distancing requirement of four square metres per person.
The most visible difference for patrons would be within the pavilions where measures would have to be applied to regulate movement and numbers.
IN OTHER NEWS
Mrs Anderson said two meetings of the committee of management would be held in June with a final decision to be made by the end of the month.
Under existing government restrictions, no large outdoor gatherings can be staged and there has been no indication from federal or NSW leaders on when that may change.
Despite the uncertainty, Mrs Anderson has been heartened by the support from exhibitors.
"At this stage interest is really good and probably above expectations," Mrs Anderson said.
"Considering we haven't pushed the issue of rebooking, like we normally would do, we're happy with that at this stage."
Up to 800 exhibitors usually attend the field days.
Mrs Anderson said that some South Australian and Queensland standholders may not participate given border restrictions.
Australia's largest field days AgQuip, held near Gunnedah in northern NSW, has been deferred from its original dates in August to November 10 to 12.
Mrs Anderson said postponing, rather than cancelling, the Henty field days was not possible given farming commitments with silage, hay cutting and harvesting after September.
"We've had a fantastic year with the autumn break and with livestock prices, so it would be great to have the field days given those things," she said.
The field days have been held since 1963 with 1970-71 the only time they were cancelled due to a rural recession.