Organisers have cancelled this year's Royal Hobart Show, saying coronavirus restrictions would make it impossible for the event to go ahead in October.
The show's 5,000 to 6,000 exhibitors were notified by email on Friday as the state entered an easing of restrictions under stage two of the Government's "roadmap to recovery".
Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania chief executive Scott Gadd said the cancellation would cost the organisation close to $500,000 in lost income, but it would be able to weather the financial hit.
Mr Gadd told stakeholders the society had reluctantly decided to cancel it because organisers could not guarantee the safety of patrons with an appropriate COVID Safe plan at the showgrounds.
Organisers are now looking at whether smaller events can take place with appropriate social distancing measures in place on the Show Day public holiday which will still be observed.
"We are going to leave the door open to run some semblance of an event once we know what's possible," he said.
"That would most likely happen on the public holiday if at all it can happen. The public holiday is legislated."
Mr Gadd acknowledged it would have a financial impact.
"We've got pretty solid reserves in the bank, those investments are generating income that we're depending on, particularly now," he said.
"It's not something we can absorb very easily, we still have to pay insurance, power, water, wages and all the other costs that go with keeping the place ticking over for 12 months of the year, so it is going to be a bit of a blow."
'But it certainly won't be the end of the Royal Hobart Show."
He also acknowledged it would be a financial hit for the Tasmanian economy.
Staying financially viable has been a challenge faced by agriculture shows across the country, including in Tasmania.
In 2017 the Launceston Show was cancelled but then returned in a reduced format.
Organisers will make a decision this week on whether they can hold the event in October.
The Burnie Show is still planning to go ahead in early October but organisers are waiting for government advice.
Spokesman Kyle Barker said if 10,000 people could not be onsite in one day, the show may be extended for a couple of extra days to keep crowd numbers down.
The Devonport show was cancelled in 2017 and the showground site that had been used for 111 years was sold for an affordable housing development.
Mr Gadd said the society was proceeding with plans to celebrate the event's 200th anniversary next year.
Reactions to the decision on ABC Hobart's Facebook page were dominated with concerns about whether the public holiday would go ahead, but others had suggestions.
"Sad for the organisers. Maybe sell showbags online," said Annie Pickard.
Leanne Cook lamented that the event had changed in recent years, saying "I just want the show I went to when I was a young girl and a teenager".
"It's hardly worth going anymore. I was quite disappointed with what was there when I took my kids last year."
The show weekend tomato planting tradition was on this mind of at least one resident.
"How will we know when to plant our tomatoes???!!" wrote Cath Nester.
