The annual event has been a staple in the Ararat calendar for more than 60 years.

The festival has typically lasted nine days and is kicked off with a Gala Ball where the King and Queen of the festival are crowned.

Gateway Festival committee president Murray Woods said it was "upsetting" the decision to cancel the festival once again.

"We called a meeting two weeks ago and made the decision, he said.

"It is upsetting that we had to stop it, but at the same time, we had to think of the bigger picture.

"We tried to get it up and running, (Ararat Rural City Council chief executive) Dr Tim Harrison was very good. He got behind us and helped us.

"With the current lockdown it just wasn't viable."

OTHER NEWS:

Mr Woods, who was crowned Gateway Festival King in 1996, sympathised with the nominated people for King and Queen.

"It was unfair to the girl's that enter, they wouldn't have time fundraise or even do anything," he said.

"There is only so many allowed in the town hall at the moment, we just couldn't run the Gala Ball which was disappointing for all involved."

Mr Woods said the committee has decided the festival will have a very different look next year.

"It used to run for 10 days but that's just too long," he said.

"It will only run over a weekend next year, making it much more cost-effective.

"It costs a bit of money to run an organisation like this, and the last two years we haven't made any money, which makes it hard.

"It will definitely happen in October next year."

Mr Woods revealed he intends on serving one more as committee president before stepping down.

"I will do one more year as president, if they nominate me back again," he said.

Got a story to share? Get in touch - james.halley@araratadvertiser.com.au

Mr Woods said the committee will begin preparation for next year's festival in February 2022.

"We will get preparations started early next year and meet in February," he said.

"We are going to go out and do a little fundraising ourselves and incorporate local businesses as much as we can.

"We are very lucky to have the local businesses who really do get behind us. It is really the local businesses that keep the festival going.

"If we can get a bit of money behind us and we don't have to depend on people that would be ideal because everyone has done it tough recently."

Mr Woods said he looks forward to seeing the town connect once again through the festivities.

"With the great help of Doctor Tim Harrison, we will be back next year," he said.

"It brings a lot of people to the town, you get the friends and families of the people involved, and the whole town gets involved.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from The Ararat Advertiser. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Ararat shire, sign up here.