THE popular Bathurst Spring Spectacular won't be held later this year, organisers say.
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The longrunning weekend of open gardens and charity fundraising went ahead last year despite drought and water restrictions, but the various hurdles this year have proved too much.
The event's publicity officer Dianne Thurling said the "difficult" decision was made by the Bathurst Spring Spectacular Committee after "careful consideration, and in light of the uncertainty surrounding government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions, as well as a number of other factors".
"Apart from not wanting to put visitors, volunteers and garden owners at risk, the severe water restrictions as a result of the drought has meant that it has been extremely difficult to find suitable gardens for the Spectacular and recent withdrawals by owners has reduced the number of gardens below that which are required to make the event viable," she said.
"As it takes garden owners many months of work and expense to prepare a garden for this event, it was necessary to make the decision to postpone sooner rather than later.
"Next year, with - hopefully - a return to kinder conditions, many local gardens which have suffered as a result of the drought will have recovered and even adapted to flourish again."
The Bathurst Spring Spectacular weekend was to have been held in October.
Ms Thurling said the committee is, at this stage, proceeding with plans to run the Plant and Garden Expo in Lions Berry Park on Saturday, October 24.
"We would encourage Gardeners' Club members as well as community members to support this exciting event featuring many stalls and demonstrations," she said.
She said the Bathurst Spring Spectacular will return in 2021 "and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Bathurst to enjoy our beautiful gardens and a return to a safer and healthy world".
The Spring Spectacular has raised more than $200,000 for local charities and organisations over more than 20 years.
