2020 Autumn Festival cancelled for Ballan

THE postponed, superhero themed 2020 Ballan Autumn Festival has now been cancelled due to the presence of COVID-19.

Originally set for March, the event offering street stalls, entertainment, a parade, costume and cake competitions was re-planned for October.

Organisers, including president Deryck Carruthers, now feel running the annual weekend, which normally attracts 10,000 people to Ballan, would be too great a risk.

“We are disappointed because the Autumn Festival is certainly the Biggest trading day in Ballan’s commercial year, but community safety comes first. No question about it,” Mr Carruthers said.

“BAF! have attended COVID safe training for events, sought medical guidance, lisased with our governing bodies, and have learnt what is possible inside the bounds of restrictions, but even so, we considered that every possible mitigation still poses enough risk to make cancellation prudent and responsible.

“It takes a year and a team of amazing volunteers to organise a community festival, but it only takes one day ad a pandemic to cancel it.”

Mr Carruthers said the superhero theme will likely return for 2021’s festival.

“After what we’ve all gone through with this pandemic, a few more superheroes around the place could come in very handy.”

Visit ballanautumnfestival.org.