Another big Tassie festival cancelled

WITH uncertainty still looming over travel and tourism, another major Tasmanian summer festival has been cancelled, months in advance.

Normally attracting a slew of international artists, the Cygnet Folk Festival will not go ahead next year.

Originally scheduled for January 8–11, artistic director Erin Collins said bringing 6000 attendees to the township presented an “unacceptable health risk”.

“The festival relies on campgrounds and local billet hosts for accommodation of performers and attendees alike,” she said.

“Camping facilities are very basic, and maintaining the level of hygiene that will still be required would not be possible.”

She said the festival risked suffering “substantial” financial losses from the lack of international stars and from financial constraints on attendees.

“All the funds from any event go directly towards hosting the following year’s event,” Ms Collins said.

The news comes as more southern festivals grapple with uncertainty, with Dark Mofo and the Huon Valley midwinter festival also cancelled and Taste of Tasmania not going ahead in its usual format.

Australian Wooden Boat Festival organisers have parallel-planned a green-light and yellow-light version of their February 2021 event, dependent on social distancing restrictions.

Falls Festival organisers say their New Year’s party at Marion Bay will go ahead with a “limited edition” all-Australian line-up, while Middleton Country Fair co-ordinator Gloria Lonnigan said their February 2021 festival was undecided.