One local took to Facebook to bring attention to the matter.

“The void can’t be filled,” they said.

“From an accommodation perspective it’s a real blow – people will now go and stay in Denman for the food and wine event and that will mean less for the parade that has been moved for their benefit.”

However, during a White Park site inspection on Thursday, Scone Horse Festival committee president David Gatwood again took the opportunity to defend switching the parade to Sunday.

“The major reason for moving the parade and the fete from Saturday to Sunday is because both of those have suffered in recent years,” he said. 

“And, that is to some extent because a lot of people in Scone like the opportunity to go to Denman to experience the Upper Hunter Wine and Food Affair.

“So, rather than giving people the dilemma of whether or not to go to Denman or stay in Scone – well they can do both.”

Mr Gatwood also took the opportunity to remind residents a delay in the completion of White Park would be worth it in the long run.

“For locals, White Park has been 30 years in the waiting,” he said.

“So, while it’s a little bit unfortunate that we won’t have it ready to go for the horse festival, we are nearly there so it’s going to be worth the wait.

“[Upper Hunter Shire] Council has been working really hard to try to get all of the compliance across the line and trying to fill the funding shortfall.

“But it will be something that will service this community for the next 10, 20, 30, 50 years.

“There have already been numerous enquiries to hold new events once it’s completed and the problem that White Park has faced is that there has been no covered arena at all to house those types of events.” 

The annual Scone Horse Festival returns from May 4 – 13.

For more information visit https://sconehorsefestival.com.au/