In these unprecedented times, another iconic Central Otago event has been impacted by Covid-19.

There’s a rich gold-mining history across the Bannockburn bridge – but there’s also a more modern history, one of two friends, a small community and the renowned Bannockburn Arts Festival that each year attracts people from throughout New Zealand.

This year, the difficult decision has been made to cancel.

The Bannockburn Arts Festival – Across the Bridge 2021 was scheduled to open September 24th.  Organiser Jan Hawkins said the team had been working very hard to make this year’s event happen, even in these uncertain times. 

“Now that the Prime Minister has announced the extra restrictions to accompany Delta Level 2 and after hours of late-night debate and number crunching, we have come to the conclusion that with under 50 people allowed inside venues, masks and physical distancing, many of our events cannot proceed.  

“Indeed, the ethos of community, shared experience and contact are completely lost.”

Jan said after weighing everything up, the decision had been made to postpone the Across the Bridge Bannockburn Arts Festival until 2022, when it is hoped that people can all meet, congregate, and enjoy the visual, literary and performing arts and life together.

“Like many, we had been ever-hopeful of getting to Level 1 in time for the festival, but now recognise that the likelihood of this is increasingly slim and that we could be at Level 2 Delta for some time. 

The entire organising team of Jan Hawkins, Heather McPherson, Gillian Watt, Jan Hudson and Celia Walmsley as well as Peter Mead, Brian Reed and PK Maracin of Arts Central is incredibly saddened, Jan said, as not only was this to be the best festival yet, it was also to be its 10th anniversary.

“We would like to acknowledge and thank all our talented artists who have been such a pleasure to work with.  

“We look forward to the possibility of working with some of you again in the future.

Jan also wanted to thank their supporters and those who had already purchased tickets.  Refunds would be arranged.

“We look forward to seeing you soon and certainly this time next year for Across the Bridge Bannockburn Arts Festival 2022.”

Image:  Central App archives