Fife Show 2021 cancelled over lockdown restrictions

It is the second year the event has been scrapped because of Covid-19.

The association said it has made the decision because the strict lockdown measures.

A statement from the association said: “With considerable regret, the committee of the Fife Agricultural Association announces the cancellation of the 2021 Fife Show.

“Current guidance (outwith the lockdown period) is that events such as agricultural shows can only take place in Tiers 0 and 1, and with a maximum of 200 spectators.

“The likelihood of the Kingdom of Fife coming down to one of those tiers by May was considered to be slim, at best, and so much planning and organisation goes into the delivery of the event that it would be impossible to run at very short notice. Travel restrictions between tiers may also have excluded exhibitors and visitors from outwith Fife.

“Being permitted only a small number of spectators would, most likely, make the show financially unviable and, as trustees of the charity, the committee felt they could not risk the association’s finances in this manner.

“We appreciate that having to cancel the show for a second year is deeply disappointing, and other options were considered, such as running some of the livestock/horse/showjumping sections individually, as these could come under slightly different ‘sport’ guidance, but ultimately the committee’s overriding aim was to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of exhibitors, competitors, staff, volunteers and visitors and it was felt that trying to organise any event where there would be a mass gathering of people from different households, in May, would not be the best way forward, even with the vaccine rollout.

“All our energies will now be focussed on next year’s show incorporating our delayed 200th anniversary celebrations. We hope that things will be back to something resembling normality and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Cupar on May 21, 2022. Further details will be published on www.fifeshow.com later in the year.”