Covid-19 restrictions have caused another local event to be canned, with the Central Otago Craft Beer Festival joining the long list of cancelled events. 

Large events, such as Alexandra’s Blossom Festival, were also forced into cancellation, with smaller gatherings also impacted.

This year’s Armistice Day public ceremony was also canned. 

Central Otago Craft Beer Festival Event Manager Jason John says he made the difficult decision to skip 2022’s edition of the festival and focus on rebuilding for 2023. 

“We are a smaller event that operates on a small but well managed budget, with potential Covid restrictions we found it a safer option for the longevity of the event to cancel 2022’s Festival. 

“We are also a volunteer group who run the event for the local community and as much as we enjoy doing the festival, Covid has affected us all and the ability we have to give up time to organise and run the event.”

Jason says the event was also forced into a reshuffle because of other events’ having rescheduled. 

“We left the decision as long as possible as we wanted to support the local business who attend the Festival, unfortunately, when the Dunedin Beer Festival had to move their dates to Waitangi, it made the decision inevitable. 

“This is viewed as a one of cancellation, we were lucky to still hold our event in 2021 and enjoyed a crowd of around 1000 visitors and spectacular Central Otago weather. 

“We plan to be back in 2023.

“The main hardship for us is that we can’t put on something for the community, the real impact is to our vendors and visitors.”