Benalla Festival chair Cr Don Firth said with recent wet weather and further rain predicted, the committee had made the difficult decision to postpone or cancel some of the events planned for this year’s festival.
“The Benalla Airshow, scheduled for Saturday 5 November has been postponed — with a new date to be announced soon,” Cr Firth said.
The Benalla Airshow event facilitator, the Gliding Club of Victoria’s Bruce Cowan, said continuous rain across the entire region had had a direct impact on the Benalla airfield, preventing safe fly-in operations and providing no solid ground for on-ground facilities.
Mr Cowan said all tickets would remain valid for the new date, which would be announced once confirmed.
The festival committee has also enacted its wet weather safety plan with modifications to the Benalla by the Lake Food and Wine Festival to be held on Saturday, November 5.
“The Foreshore Festival will become a ‘Celebration in the Street’ as the event is moved off the grassed area to higher ground in Fawckner Drive,” Cr Firth said.
Cr Firth said the Day in the Gardens event, scheduled for Sunday, November 6, would be postponed.
“The health and safety of our community is paramount and with recent weather events, the grounds at the Benalla Botanical Gardens are sodden and not conducive to hosting an all-day event,” Cr Firth said.
But the Rotary Club of Benalla is proposing to run a modified mini market on drier ground: A Day in Denny Market at the Denny St carpark, Benalla, from 9am to 3pm, with market stalls, music and food.
Cr Firth said while the festival program was pared back, there were many highlights scheduled across the two weekends.
“We are working hard to deliver many festival favourites, including live music, art shows and exhibitions and the perennial family favourite — the Fireworks display,” he said.
Events scheduled to proceed on the second weekend (November 5 and 6) include:
Benalla Park Run Third Anniversary, Devonshire Tea at Goorambat, Room at the Table — Stay and Play, Devenish Silo Art of Honour — Remembrance Day Service, Village Precinct at the Mural, Benalla By the Lake Food and Wine Festival, Aviation Museum exhibition, Benalla Migrant Camp Open Day and Walking Tour, North East Skate Park Series, Kids' Day Out at Benalla Racecourse, Benalla Shorts Film Festival.
Events postponed on November 5 and 6 are: Benalla Airshow, A Day in the Gardens Market, Broken River Classic.
Visit the Benalla Festival Facebook page for the latest updates.
