![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/08\/Heritage-Weekend-300x200.jpg\")
strategies to continue celebrating Ballarat, no matter the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cHeritage Weekend has proven to us that even with the restrictions, we can be creative and look at opportunities out of the spaces we live,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople just loved the Heritage Weekend virtual tours and what I noticed is our community really engaging in the authentic features of Ballarat.<\/p>\n
\u201cI now understand the significant impact of the COVID situation so in the future we will have a bit more foresight to plan for a worst-case scenario.\u201d<\/p>\n
The much-loved Royal South Street Eisteddfod and Ballarat Show were among the list of events that cancelled their programs to the public.<\/p>\n
With South Street said to inject around $8.5 million into the economy annually and the Show welcoming visitors from around the region, these cancellations are set to have major impacts on both the future of these institutions and local business.<\/p>\n
The executive officer of the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society Elizabeth van Beek said while the cancellation was disappointing, community wellbeing is the priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe society hopes that local businesses hit hard by COVID-19 will have an opportunity to recoup some revenue in the lead up to the Christmas period,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
While the future of the pandemic remains unclear, residents are eager to see the city\u2019s events return to normal as soon as possible.<\/p>\n When it is safe to gather once again, Mr Johnson said he is sure that our human instinct will be to physically congregate in the forum events and shows.<\/p>\n \u201cParticularly when a vaccine comes we will want to come together again and join in community gatherings and experience the joys of being in large groups,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThink of White Night, I think half of the attendees were just walking around enjoying being a part of the town and community.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough we\u2019re doing business in a different way now and the events industry may look different, it will come back.\u201d<\/p>\n While hosting in-person programs may not be a possibility, the City of Ballarat\u2019s live music strategy and continual resourcing of community events aims to restore the arts and culture scene to its former glory.<\/p>\n Cr McIntosh said that the key to reinstating our thriving events and tourism industries was to embrace the Ballarat\u2019s natural appeals.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve learnt how to be really innovative and creative and provide something that uses technology to engage people who maybe can\u2019t come here in person,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the restrictions lift, we have to provide events that are safer while still allowing for the appropriate level of activity.<\/p>\n \u201cEmbracing the personality and unique charm of Ballarat is what brings people here and that\u2019s what really sets us apart from other cities.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" EVENTS are a vital part of Ballarat\u2019s tourism and business economies and without them, the city and its residents are finding themselves having to adapt. Thanks to stage three COVID-19 restrictions, the list of cancelled and postponed programs grows weekly leaving many wondering if Ballarat\u2019s thriving event industry will survive. The City of Ballarat events […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/08\/Begonia-Festival-300x200.jpg\")