The low-down on Maitland and Cessnock events affected by the coronavirus

Here is an update on which events have been cancelled around the Lower Hunter, and which will still go ahead at this stage.

Do you have an event that has been affected? Email the details to sage.swinton@maitlandmercury.com.au for inclusion in this list.

The Maitland Black and White Luncheon has been cancelled for 2020.

The event was set down for April 30 at Maitland Showground. Emeritus Professor Ron McCallum was due to be the guest speaker.

The Slow Food Earth Market in The Levee will go ahead on Thursday.

Maitland council has given the market the green light, saying the government saw it as an essential service.

There will be a wide range of vegetables for sale as well as herbs, eggs, bread and pastries, and honey.

Shoppers should stay at home if they are unwell, have been in contact with someone with Coronavirus (COVID-19) or have returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days.

The market starts at 8.30am and finishes at 1.30pm.

Groovin the Moo 2020 has been cancelled.

The Maitland Showground event was due to go ahead on May 9, but the Australia-wide tour has been called off completely.

Organisers said in a statement that it's the first time since the inaugural Groovin the Moo that they're unable to bring the festival to the regions across the country.

"Unfortunately, GTM is unable to reschedule the 2020 events due to the uncertainty surrounding how long the ban will be in place for, along with the logistics involved with ... and the schedules of both our National and International Artists," the statement said.

Tickets holders can hold onto their ticket for GTM 2021 or receive a complete refund with refund details to be announced soon.

Maitland's Dogs in the Park has been cancelled.

The second annual event in Maitland Park was organised for March 29. The inaugural event attracted 7500 dog owners last year and this year was expected to be just as big.

The National Textiles 20 year reunion organised for this Saturday has been cancelled.

The reunion marking 20 years since the closure of National Textiles' Rutherford plant had attracted interest from almost 300 people with more than 100 tickets already sold.

Co-organiser Jo Threlfo said it was a disappointing but necessary decision based on current health advice.

"Everyone is 20 years older now so we have to take the precaution," she said.

Online ticket holders can obtain a refund through Sticky Tickets while those who paid cash can contact Jo Threlfo on 0417 417 864 after 5pm to organise money back.

Ms Threlfo said organisers were hopeful of being able to hold something later in the year.

Organisers have waved the checkered flag over the Gresford Billy Cart Derby, cancelling the event for 2020.

The annual event held on Easter Saturday attracts thousands of people.

"We are obviously devastated not to be holding our 21st anniversary event, and want to thank all our sponsors, volunteers for their commitment to date," said Penny Evans.

"We are also thinking of all our small community groups and charities that are supported through this event.

"We hope this period of uncertainty passes quickly and encourage everyone when it does to continue visiting the country festivals and small communities of our region when you can, as every bit of support counts."

Tocal Field Days has been cancelled for 2020.

The event was organised for May 1-3 at Tocal College. It would have been the 37^th annual event.

Webers Circus shows set down for later this week will still go ahead at this stage.

Office manager Julie Petersen said shows will continue until they are advised otherwise. Ms Peterson said the shows usually attract between 100 and 200 people, but organisers have limited their capacity to 400 just in case.

The circus will have shows in Maitland on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Maitland RSL sub-branch has confirmed all commemorative services have been cancelled throughout the region.

THE Gum Ball music festival will be shifted from April 24-26 to October and held alongside sister event Dashville Skyline.

Maitland City Council has cancelled Hunter Valley Steamfest.

Steamfest was due to run on April 18-19 at the Maitland Station Precinct. The 2020 event was shaping up to be great one, with significant interest around the return of 3801, however council and the Steamfest Working Group will now turn their attention to next year's event, on April 17-18 2021.

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival has been cancelled for 2020.

The event was due to run from March 27 to 29 at venues around Kurri Kurri with the main festivities in Rotary Park.

Read more here.

Lovedale Long Lunch organisers have suspended ticket sales to see how the situation plays out.

The event is due to be held on May 16 and 17 at Lovedale venues including Allandale, Tatler, Wandin, Sandalyn, Saltire, Gartelmann and Emma's Cottage.

A decision has not yet been made about the Hunter Valley Caravan Camping 4WD Fish & Boat Show.

The event is planned for May 29-31 at Maitland Showground, so organisers are waiting to see how the next few weeks play out.

Loretta Payne from Rural Scene, which runs the event, said alternate dates had already been organised if the event does need to be postponed.

Cessnock Chamber of Commerce announced on Saturday that it would postpone the Cessnock Stomp Festival, which was set down for April 5, until further notice.

Read more about that here.

The Mai-Wel Group has confirmed it has postponed all of its events until further notice.

"The health of our participants, staff and wider community is of paramount importance to us and therefore this decision was made with their best interest at heart," The group posted on Facebook.

The following events have been affected: Creative Arts Album Launch at the Cabin Collective on March 19, Easter Hoi at Club Maitland City on April 2 and The Mai-Wel Annual Gala Ball at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on May 2. All tickets purchased for the Gala Ball will be honoured at a date to be confirmed later in 2020. More information relating to the Gala Ball will be distributed over the coming weeks.