The Scone Literary Festival committee has made the following announcement.
“We’re is very disappointed to announce today that we’ve had to make major changes to our eagerly anticipated March festival due to the uncertainty and anxiety with COVID.
A modified, community-focussed outdoor event is being planned to replace the packed, mostly indoor-focussed three-day program that featured a very diverse range of topics, activities and speakers.
All being well, we hope to stage the planned, full three-day festival on the second weekend of November this year.
There is no doubt that people are very cautious about attending events where there is a large gathering of people particularly inside.
This has been a very difficult decision, incredibly disappointing, but we do need to consider the welfare of everyone who is involved and attends our beloved, ‘big, little’ festival. We needed to feel confident that we could run a successful and safe event.
While we’re in the very early planning stages of our modified event it will be focussed on what we do best – celebrating the love of words and enjoying great conversation stimulated by great talks by great authors.
Picnic style events such as the Picnic in the Park at Murrurundi with Hunter author, Paula Beavan on Sunday March 13 can be expected, and there’s a high likelihood that the popular Bush Poets’ Breakfast will also be part of the modified program.
The writing competitions – Farmers Short Story Writing competition and Write Up for high schoolers in the Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook LGAs – proceed as planned.
Full refunds will be provided to those who have already purchased tickets.
More details on the modified, community event for the weekend of March 11-13 will be announced shortly.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment and support for all things SLF- it is greatly appreciated.”
Media release and image are courtesy of the Scone Literary Festival Committee.