Coronavirus in Victoria: Great Trentham Spudfest cancelled for 2021

Organisers confirmed the festival, which celebrates all things potato and attracts about 6000 people each year to the small town, is now cancelled. It was scheduled to take place on May 1.

"The virus wins again!" can be seen on the official website.

Furthermore, on social media, organisers said "we'll see you next year".

"As a result of Covid restrictions, new information from the State Government that there is no foreseeable date when things will ease and the Spudfest Committee's commitment to the wellbeing of Trentham and residents, we have (again) made the sad decision to cancel the festival for 2021," the Facebook post said.

"We wish our supporters, suppliers, vendors and spud fans a safe rest-of-2021. See you next year!"

Organisers had only posted a few weeks earlier that planning was "full-steam ahead" for the event that features fresh spuds, live music, cooking demonstrations and a vintage tractor pull.

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In 2019, committee convenor Helen Macdonald told The Courier it attracted people from all over who were looking for an "authentic" country experience, especially families.

"People come from miles around for a tractor pull, and the Cool Country Classic Car Club has a display of vintage cars - it's something you can't get in the city, you can only get it in a country town," she said.

"We don't have electrically-run rides, and it's all handcrafted products, it's kind of the way they used to be, with some modern touches."

The festival supports community groups and projects in Trentham, including primary schools and the CFA.