Maitland City Council stated the health and safety of the local community was behind its decision to cancel next month’s 2020 Hunter Valley Steamfest.
The event had gathered significant attention, with one of the most loved locomotives in Australia, the 3801, set to make a return for the first time since 2007.
The 3801 first attended the Steamfest in 1987 and took out the Great Train Race that year, before going on to win a further eight races over the following two decades.
However, the council said that it supported the Federal Goverment’s advice and, due to the “fluid nature of the required response to COVID-19”, opted not to postpone the event until a later date.
“Council and the Steamfest Working Group will now turn their attention to developing an extraordinary program of activities for next year’s event, which will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Steamfest on 17 and 18 April, 2021,” the council’s statement read.
The council thanked Maitland businesses, as well as the Maitland Steam and Antique Machinery Association, Show ‘n’ Shine community, stallholders, community groups, volunteers and staff for their support.
Apart from all the action at the Maitland Station Precinct and on the railway tracks, the Steamfest Rally Ground was set for an impressive display of steam traction and portable engine, a mini railway, and more.
Visit steamfest.com.au for updates on the 2021 event.
