August 4, 2021
The 2021 Blackbutt Avocado Festival and the Blackbutt Music Festival have also been cancelled.
The decision was revealed by organisers on Wednesday in a joint announcement with the organisers of Kingaroy BaconFest.
The Blackbutt Music Festival was to be held on September 1-4, and the Avocado Festival on September 11.
Organising committee chairman Jeff Connor said the decision had been made in consultation with BaconFest, and with a heavy heart.
The cancellations of the two festivals aimed to keep the risk of COVID entering the local community as low as possible.
Jeff said the Blackbutt festivals brought many positive outcomes, including boosts to the economy and community morale as well as a celebration of local farming.
“However, we do not live in normal times. Our committee has weighed up the risk and we no longer see a safe way to move forward with either of the Blackbutt festivals,” he said.
“We are working with our sponsors, market stallholders, existing ticketholders, and other stakeholders through the cancellation details.
“The festival committees have already spent a significant amount in the region activating the festivals along with a lot of hard work and energy. It takes the same effort to reverse it.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank my committee for this years’ work, our raffle volunteers time each week and the businesses who have been spruiking and supporting the Avocado Festival for the last six months.
“We deeply appreciate your ongoing support and commitment, simply the festival would not happen without you.
“Now, we stand elbow-to-elbow with Kingaroy BaconFest.
“Shopping local will help our business pay their staff and staying local where possible will keep our community safe.”
