After celebrating the 15th anniversary of the town's “big street party” in 2018, organisers turned to social media recently to inform the public that the popular event would not be on the calendar in 2019.

The move will not only upset the thousands of people who venture to the shire on the first Saturday in May to enjoy the festivities, but also those behind the Scone Horse Festival.

That committee copped plenty of criticism 12 months ago when the main drawcard, the street parade, was moved to a Sunday so it did not clash with the Upper Hunter Wine and Food Affair.

A simple post on Facebook stated: “It is with regret that the Denman Chamber of Commerce have (sic) decided that we will not run a Wine & Food Affair event in 2019. The event is only being postponed and we will run again in 2020”.

And, unanswered calls to event coordinator Troy Jones and the chamber failed to shed any light on the reasons either.

Muswellbrook Shire mayor Martin Rush said the announcement was disappointing for all concerned.

“Council was first advised of the decision of the Denman Chamber of Chamber to cancel the Wine and Food Affair by email on November 1 this year,” he explained.

“Council has been a major sponsor every year since the inaugural event and we’re naturally disappointed that no consultation with council took place prior to the decision being made. 

“Council, together with the other major sponsors, stood ready to assist the chamber with help if needed but we simply weren’t asked.

“In its email, the chamber notes that licensing conditions combined with organising capacity were the main reasons for the decision but also suggest that scheduling of council’s Main Street works was a consideration. 

“The chamber was advised that works on both Memorial Hall and Ogilvie Street would be finished well before May – and indeed council had hoped to arrange an ‘official opening’ and concert with a visiting military band in the days leading up to the event.

“We look forward to engaging with the chamber on future events. 

“The Wine and Food Affair is one of the shire’s biggest days. 

“We’ve asked the chamber for a full explanation concerning their consultation processes and their business planning to be certain that this sort of thing doesn’t happen again.”

The chamber did acknowledge council’s generous support in the past.