The event was planned to be held from October 10 to 24, with the town holding community events and celebrations for a fortnight to herald in spring and the new fruit harvesting season.

Last year's event was also cancelled, with Griffith City Council holding a 'virtual experience' instead of the original events planned. The virtual experience encompassed virtual tours and showcases of flowers, fruits and the trademark citrus sculptures, as well as hosting recipes and gardening tips.

Chair of the Griffith Spring Fest Working Group, Councillor Rina Mercuri said that the decision to cancel the 2021 Spring Fest was a difficult one but had to be made.

"We are obviously very disappointed that we can't deliver Griffith Spring Fest and the events that fall within it for the second year in a row, we feel this is the right decision to protect our community," she said.

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The 2019 Spring Fest was a key economic event for the city, with over 15,000 people attending the event and a significant number travelling in for it. This tourism element is part of the reason the event had to be canned.

"Griffith Spring Fest attracts thousands of visitors to our town throughout the two weeks in October and we can't risk having people come to town without us being able to control where people come from," Councillor Mercuri said.

The Griffith Tourism committee are currently working on alternatives to the Spring Fest, however no substitutes have been put in place just yet.

Griffith events co-ordinator Georgina Horton said "We are all very disappointed that we can't have Spring Fest again this year, however keeping our community safe is our priority."

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