The threat posed by COVID-19 will mean the city's beloved Citrus Sculptures won't be taking pride of place on Banna Avenue this year.
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This year was to be a milestone for the public artwork which would celebrate 25 years, however uncertainties around public gatherings have forced the hand of the Griffith Spring Fest Working Group.
Last year, Spring Fest is estimated to have injected $3 million into Griffith's economy.
Working group chairwoman Rina Mercuri said instead a smaller number of sculptures will be completed at a location to be worked out.
Councillor Mercuri said if the traditional location was to be used - Banna Avenue - the request to Roads and Maritime Services would have to be made now.
However the rules of public gatherings mean it may not be possible for around 800 volunteers to come together to build the sculptures.
And when finished, it's estimated at least 500 people stop to look at the sculptures each day.
"We can't do four metre spacing on citrus sculptures," Cr Mercuri said.
"We have people who come in from everywhere, there were people from Japan, WA and Queensland helping put up citrus sculptures last year.
"We can't guarantee that someone who's come to help and visit, doesn't have the virus.
"The safety of our community is first and foremost."
Uncertainties around public gathering rules and infection risks will mean the Garden Festival will be changed substantially for 2020.
Cr Mercuri said council's tourism staff were working on bringing splendid spring gardens into people's homes.
She said promoting the event alone could cost up to $25,000, and while the city's business community had been incredibly generous with sponsorship in the past, things were different this year.
"It will go ahead, but not as we know it," Cr Mercuri said.
"Things are changing and we may be able to hold it, but to hold this festival we need sponsorship.
"The town has enough burdens, and it would be irresponsible of us to hold the festival. The town has to heal and prosper again."
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Several residents had offered their gardens to be toured and Cr Mercuri said by October small bus tours could be possible, however that required further easing of the rules.
Cr Mercuri said while the milestone celebrations of the Garden Festival and Citrus Sculptures may be on hold this year, they wouldn't be missed.
"We will celebrate the 30th and 25th (anniversaries) next year with a bigger and better festival than anyone hs seen," she said.
"It will return, we won't let this fade away."
She said all changes to what Griffith Spring Fest would look like would be posted to the event's social media pages.
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