Festival co-ordinator Lyall Wheaton said the $15,000 was exhausted on publicity and promotion, from which it gained no profit.

"It was disappointing from our point of view and for the fans and artists," he said.

"Overall financially we are still in a very sound position, over the years we have been able to accumulate a reasonable amount of money."

Read more:

Mr Wheaton is stepping down as the festival co-ordinator after 13 years and said it was a disappointing way to finish.

"We were expecting a record crowd... 275 caravans and motor-homes had been booked to come to the festival," he said.

"However, we made a good call early on and everyone was accepting of our decision."

Read more: Rural Doctors to provide a GP for Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital clinic

The COVID-19 pandemic has also forced the Horsham Country Music Festival committee to cancel its monthly shows and Morning Melodies at the Horsham RSL.

"To be honest I can't see us getting back to the RSL within six months," Mr Wheaton said.

"When you're still getting hundreds of cases in Australia everyday it will be around for months and months."

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.