The 2022 Bay Escape Festival’s organisers have opted to cancel this year’s event due to a surge in local COVID-19 cases.
Event coordinator Ryan Donovan said it was the second consecutive year the festival would not occur.
“We are very disappointed that we will not be able to proceed with the festival for a second year running,” he said.
“With rising COVID-19 case numbers in our community and the changing landscape of restrictions associated with the running of events, we have had no choice but to cancel.”
Mr Donovan said in 2019, the Bay Escape (previously known as the Bayside Festival) event underwent a major rebrand in line with community feedback and was launched with its food, wine and coastal themes, with overwhelming success.
“We have been frustrated that we have not been able to leverage the success of our 2019 event and keep the momentum going in this climate,” he said.
“However, we only want to run an event when we can keep out participants and community safe.”
The Bay Escape is one of the Limestone Coast’s longest running festivals, held every year at the end of summer at Port MacDonnell.
It’s an all-ages street party with the best food, wine and vendors from across the region to a summer soundtrack from the best musicians around.
Despite this years’ event not going ahead, the Bay Escape Committee will begin preparations for the 2023 event in the coming months and is looking for volunteers to help bring the successful event back to Port MacDonnell next summer.
“Events like these take considerable planning and are only made possible with support from our passionate volunteers,” Mr Donovan said.
“We therefore want to take this opportunity to seek expressions of interest from those who can assist with the planning and running of our 2023 event.
“Volunteers can assist in a variety of ways, including forming part of our committee, planning and engagement activities, or just as an extra pair of hands on the day. Every bit helps.”
Expressions of interest can be directed via email to ptmaccommunity@gmail.com and should contain name, contacts details and how people would like to help.
