The Australian Sheep and Wool Show will go ahead from July 16 in some format with planning too far gone to cancel it for a second year.
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Chief executive Margot Falconer said the show was all but ready with extra money and planning going in to ensure it could run and the fullest capacity government restrictions would allow.
"It's on a fortnight from today," she said. "When the circuit breaker happened several weeks ago, the planning was at a point where we had to proceed. As far as we're concerned, we're ready.
"With border closures, we are losing some people from other states be it breeders or site holders but a majority (of attendees) are from Victoria.
"After a lack of events in the last two years, we are anticipating crowds equal to what the Department of Health will allow. We don't know what that will be as that number changes (regularly)."
Ms Falconer said she was surprised the Bendigo Swap Meet decided to cancel their event this year but was expecting thousands to attend the sheep show in two weeks' time.
"I was very surprised but I think (the swap meet) has huge number of people and site holders come from more around Australia and perhaps it was not feasible for them to have Victoria only event," she said.
"Our event is very viable. If it ends up being a Victoria-centric event, it is still a good result for Bendigo and Victoria."
The 2020 event was cancelled in April last year when a ban on mass gatherings meant the 143rd Australian Sheep and Wool Show would not be possible. More than 30,000 people attended the 2019 event.
Since the 2020 cancellation, show organisers have been preparing for the 2021 event.
Ms Falconer said sheep entries were still coming from states including West Australia, South Australia and New South Wales.
"At this stage we have a truck from WA coming, sheep from Kangaroo Island in South Australia and some regional NSW, Most farmers are not based in a CBD, so it is a waiting game for how the (travel) zones will change closer to the event.
"We're encouraging people to book online. Even if we're if limited to 5000 people a day or 7500 a day, we would would hate for someone to line up at the gates and not get in because we are at capacity."
Part of planning for the event including the recruitment of COVID marshals and health and safety officers.
"There has been a huge expense involved (in that) and additional things we have to put in place to prepare a COVID-safe event plan," MS Falconer said. "That plan has been in and out to state government with terrific assistance from the City of Greater Bendigo.
"We have been very thorough because we want to keep everyone safe. It's great that a majority of Bendigo's Rotary groups have been working with us as COVID marshals, health and safety officers and gatekeepers."
The Australian Sheep and Wool Show in on from July 16 to 18 at Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showgrounds. Visit www.sheepshow.com for more details or find the show on Facebook.
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