MILDURA’S Easter Show and Shine is set to return this year — bigger and COVID-safe.
After COVID-19 restrictions forced cancellation of the popular event last year, organisers are now awaiting the tick of approval from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Mildura Rural City Council for the event to be held on Good Friday.
Mildura City Heart manager and event manager Danielle Hobbs said planning was on track for the event.
“We are very positive that we are going to get it across the line,” she said.
“Rain or shine, if DHHS and council give us the go-ahead, it will happen.”
Planning for the event began in January, when an application to host a tier 1 event was submitted to DHHS.
“We decided that restrictions were looking good enough to begin planning the Show and Shine for 2021, knowing it won’t look as it has in previous years,” Ms Hobbs said.
“We are looking at a much larger footprint. The plan is to double the space compared to other years and we will need to fence the whole area.
“Plan A includes having Seventh Street to Tenth Street, from Deakin Avenue to Lime Avenue on Eighth Street and from Bowrings Lane to Shillidays Lane on Ninth Street, all fenced off.”
Ms Hobbs said fencing off the area would be “logistically and financially quite a process but there is a silver lining”.
She said because the event was free, “we have never been able to know the exact number of attendees, only guesstimates”.
“By having to sign in, we will know not only how many people attend, but where they have all come from, and as we know Mildura is a massive holiday destination at Easter.”
Ms Hobbs said the space may be reduced, depending on the number of cars on display.
“Eight clubs have confirmed they will have a display, including almost 100 cars, and we are still working our way through our list.
“We have had requests from car clubs from outside our district and, while the ski race has been cancelled, they are still keen to participate with local members having a display.”
The car display will be in the familiar form but plans for to live entertainment have had to be changed.
“We won’t be putting on vehicle entertainment — with it impossible to socially distance — but I have already booked in entertainment for 2022 with the hope that it can be reinstated,” Ms Hobbs said.
“It will be a good old traditional Show and Shine with all City Heart businesses open on the day.
“One of the things I love about it is that you don’t have to be a vehicle person to enjoy the event. It’s a major social event.”
Ms Hobbs said she was still in discussions with DHHS to ensure the event would be COVID-safe.
“It does make me nervous that we are encouraging people to come together in the one location, so we will be taking every precaution to properly prepare for the event,” she said.
“We want to make sure it’s super-successful and safe.”
Mildura City Heart is seeking individuals and clubs to volunteer at the event, including managing the various entry and exit points.
Interested people and groups can visit the Mildura City Heart office or call 5023 8010.
