The sound of bagpipes filling the Southern Highland air is still on the cards for 2021.
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A meeting was held on Thursday, January 14, 2021 to decide if the Brigadoon festival held in April will proceed.
With the latest NSW Public Health advice and directives, and with the advice of Minister Hazzard's office, Brigadoon this year, Saturday, April 17, 2021 has been restricted to 3000 persons in total, but will look to proceed.
The total number includes paying patrons and all those needed to put on the event: committee, performers and volunteers.
Brigadoon is now expected to only have 2000 paying patrons.
This would see the event run at a loss. A loss that could be sustainable for this year only.
Vice president and publicity officer of Bundanoon Highland Gathering Inc, Alaistair Saunders said even with a loss, the event will go ahead as long as COVID doesn't interfere.
"COVID is changing everyday, but we're very hopeful," Saunders said.
"We've made the decision to continue as we are. We have a plan in place.
"We will make a final decision in March."
That final decision will be made on March 4, 2021.
The board will consider the advice available at that time. There will be a full committee meeting on that date and the decision will be published online as soon as possible.
"I am only being positive and negativity doesn't exist with me," Saunders said.
"I'm looking at this in a positive view. The public are crying out to be able to attend events and festivals.
"COVID restrictions are making it very, very hard for people to get out and enjoy themselves.
"Personally, I'm looking at this positively. Even if the event goes ahead with only 2000 attendees.
"If we run on the figures given, I'd find it hard to see anyone making a profit, but we've made the decision to move ahead and will finalise the details in March.
"Even if we do have to cancel, we will look at another later date."
If Brigadoon proceeds as planned, the event will be a ticket event with online purchases only.
Tickets to the general public will go on sale in early February, advance notice will be published on the Brigadoon website and their social media.
"Get outside and enjoy yourself," Saunders said.
"We've all been locked up for so long now, it's time to get out there and enjoy a festival.
"Brigadoon is non-stop entertainment from the time it opens, till it closes.
"Get out and enjoy it."
There will be 23 pipe bands, the Kilted Warriors (The Tartan Warriors have had a name change), Scottish Country and Highland dancing.
The Fiddlers Tent, Southern Highlands Dogs and of course children's games along with the stalls and clans will be ready to go.
There won't be a street parade, because of COVID-19 restrictions, but there will be a parade internally on the oval precincts.
Finally, there will also be a Brigadoon Grand Raffle.
Last years bushfires, floods and now COVID-19 led to the cancellation of the 2020 gathering.
Those drastic chain of events made Brigadoon unable to make any financial donations to their volunteer groups.
In an attempt to rectify this, they will be holding a Grand Raffle at the 2021 gathering.
If the event is cancelled, the raffle draw will still take place on April 17, 2021.
"There are some very generous businesses out there who have contributed to our raffle, and we would like to sincerely thank them for making this raffle possible," Saunders said.
"It's only through their generosity that organisations like us can continue to fulfill our goals and commit financial support to our volunteers.
"The raffle is going along nicely, although sales are slow, they are promising."
You can enter the Brigadoon Grand Raffle here: https://brigadoon.org.au/brigadoon-grand-raffle.
For updates and tickets when available, please check the website at: brigadoon.org.au.
For all other information go to the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/Brigadoon1978.
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