It was shortly after we learned about a new virus starting to run rampant around the world that public events began to be cancelled or postponed. Then slowly throughout 2020 events were like dominoes, falling one after the other.

It was mid-March when Eat The Street became the last major public event held in our community. People were cautious about going outside, not really knowing what to expect with a still unknown pandemic.

Eleven months later and with the strength of 31 days free of locally acquired COVID cases, it is worth asking the question from the organisers of our big events how 2021 is looking. After all, we need some blue sky.

EAT THE STREET - WILL HAPPEN DATE TBC

(Eat The Street 2019)

A spokesperson for the Lismore City Council said a scaled down version of Eat The Street will be held this year, the details will be announced once they are confirmed.

GEMFEST - WILL HAPPEN MAY 15 & 16

(Gemfest in COVID free times 2018)

Jenny Vyrenhoek said Gemfest will be on on May 15 & 16 where they will be celebrating their 30th year which is an extension from last year when Gemfest was cancelled.

"We are looking forward to finally celebrating our 30th anniversary. We are trying to maintain our event to previous standards but this will be done in a COVID safe manner like registration through the QR Code on entry plus some of the halls will be one way only so we can control the number of people."

"We are looking forward to seeing our faithful public again this year to help us celebrate our 30^th Gemfest."

LISMORE LANTERN PARADE - WILL HAPPEN JUNE 19

(Lismore Lantern Parade celebrating 25 years in 2019)

"Something will happen, we are not exactly sure what that will look like yet but plans are afoot," said CEO/Artistic Director Jyllie Jackson.

"All being well with the pandemic we will put on a COVID safe, beautiful, spectacular Lantern Parade for Lismore."

NIMBIN SHOW - WILL HAPPEN SEPTEMBER 18 & 19

(Show dog jumping at the Nimbin Show 2019)

Phil Williams President of A&I Society in Nimbin says, "We're going to try and have another show. We are a bit cage mad here and I get asked all the time if we are going to have a show this year"

"Of course we want to be COVID safe and we have seven months to sort it out but we just need to work out the final details."

LISMORE SHOW - WILL HAPPEN OCTOBER 21, 21 & 22

(Woodchopping at the 2018 Lismore Show)

Secretary of the North Coast National A&I Society Mark Bailey said "The Lismore Show will go on in 2021."

"Due to COVD it will look different to previous years and we are still working to secure events like woodchopping and cattle showing. It really depends on what happens with the COVID pandemic."

In summary, the news is all good with all major events being planned to run in 2021. However, this is subject to how the year progresses with the COVID vaccine and if we see more locally acquired cases from overseas travellers and how quickly we can control an outbreak.

For now, we should rejoice with NSW recording 31 days free of locally acquired cases. This is the time to look at the blue sky and be positive.