Spirit of the Land Festival

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th October 2020 has reluctantly been cancelled.

Spirit of the Land Lockhart Inc has reluctantly made the decision not to go ahead with the Spirit of the Land Festival in 2020. The annual Festival featuring farm art sculptures, fine arts and photography exhibitions as well as market stalls and other attractions, is normally held on the second weekend in October,

The restrictions on gatherings, as well as the social distancing rules that have been imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, have created too much uncertainty, making planning for the Festival very difficult.

Whilst some events can proceed with a limit on gatherings of up to 500, the Spirit of the Land Festival attracts several thousand people to Lockhart for the annual event. We do not believe that we can put on a meaningful festival and comply with the restriction on gatherings as well as the 1.5 metre social distancing rules.

We are also mindful of the health risk to our volunteers, many of whom are elderly, as well as the risk to the broader community.

We are very grateful for the financial support that our sponsors have provided to us over the years. Indeed the Festival could not proceed in any given year without the support of our sponsors. We are mindful that the Covid-19 pandemic is also having an unprecedented economic impact and that some of our sponsors will be facing their own challenges at this time. In this climate we find it difficult in all consciousness to request their support for a festival in 2020.

Bearing in mind that the Festival first began as a celebration of the community’s resilience, we hope that with the support of our sponsors, volunteers, and the local community, the Festival will return next year even stronger.

Peter Veneris, President

The Spirit of the Land Festival is a colourful and vibrant celebration of the land. With artistic sculptures, fine arts and photography, lively markets, boutique stalls, fabulous foods, vivid open gardens, amazing entertainment, stylish vintage vehicles, the Festival is a fantastic experience for friends and family to enjoy.