It is with a heavy heart that the Wairarapa Balloon Society Committee announce the cancellation of the 2020 Wairarapa Balloon Festival.
The decision follows the New Zealand Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The festival had been scheduled for Easter Weekend, 9-13 April.
All pre-purchased tickets for the Night Show will be refunded, and patience is requested whilst refunds are facilitated.
The decision to cancel the 2020 festival is one that the Committee have not taken lightly.
Wairarapa Balloon Society chair, Howard Watson, says the festival creates mass gatherings of people with open access to all events, making traceability difficult should the virus be spreading.
“We support the Government in making public health a priority,” Mr Watson says.
Consideration of the Government’s travel isolation restrictions have been taken into account, and these restrictions will therefore prevent overseas pilots from attending, he says.
“We are obviously very disappointed that we will be unable to proceed. The event has a huge input from the wider community and sponsors which we greatly appreciate.”
Event Organiser, Robyn Cherry-Campbell says: “I would like to personally acknowledge the large network of volunteers who contribute so much to the Balloon Festival, thank you for being part of the team.”