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Lower Mid Coast Rotary Club has confirmed this year's Carols in the Park will not go ahead for 2020.
It's news members of the community knew was coming, but didn't want to believe it would happen.
"Not having a major event on the community calendar at this time of year is disappointing for both locals and visitors," Lower Mid Coast Rotary Club president, Lance Fletcher said.
The pandemic also had put a stop to both the band and choir getting together for practice.
"However, we will be back bigger and better next year," he said.
Despite the cancellation, Rotary would continue its community projects, including upgrading Rotary walk and giving the community hall a lick of paint.
EARLIER:
For more than four decades Carols in the Park has been a much anticipated and loved annual event for families and visitors across the Great Lakes.
Hosted by the Forster Tuncurry (now Lower Mid Coast) Rotary Club, thousands cram into John Wright Park, Tuncurry to belt out a song-sheet of their favourite carols, meet Santa Claus and welcome the start of Christmas.
However, the coronavirus has put a halt to this year's celebrations, making the cancellation a first in the event's 45 years.
A disappointed Lower Mid Coast Rotary Club president, Lance Fletcher explained it would be almost impossible to adhere to social distancing regulations.
He said just 500 people would be permitted to participate.
Last year's event attracted more than 2000.
"Carols will not be going ahead at this moment," Mr Fletcher said.
"It's never been cancelled before."
However, there was a glimmer of hope; the committee would revisit the decision later in the year, Mr Fletcher said.
If it does go ahead the event would be relocated to the the larger site at South Street cricket field in Tuncurry.
Mr Fletcher said the cricket field was more protected from the elements, there was more parking, and the location enabled families to walk to the venue.