Easing of crowd restrictions will determine the future of the Blessing of the Fleet Ball for 2020.
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The ball was postponed earlier this year as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, while the Blessing of the Fleet festival itself had to be cancelled for 2020.
Chairman of the Blessing of the Fleet Ball committee, Brian Morrison, remains hopeful that this important event will be held.
"We are planning on it being held but it all depends on the crowd restrictions," he said.
Organisers, if the ball was to be held in the Ulladulla Civic Centre, would need permission to hold a gathering of more than 350 people.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed," the ball chairperson said.
The event's committee is aiming to stage the ball in late October, but September looms as the key month.
The ball takes a lot of organising and the committee needs as much preparation time as it can get.
Mr Morrison said if they don't get the green-light for crowd numbers by September, then a heartbreaking decision will have to be made - the event will have to be officially called off for 2020.
The ball committee chairperson said it would be sad if there was to be no ball this year.
He added the ball was an important and major community event.
"It [the ball] is a wonderful experience for all those who take part in it," he said.
"I have never heard a participant say they did not enjoy the ball.
"Most people say 'I wish I had done this before now'."
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Mr Morrison has been organising the ball for many years and knows it's a special event for young people and many others.
"I enjoy it [the ball] very much," he said.
If the ball is cancelled for 2020, all ticket monies will be refunded as will the princess' sponsorship funds.
Meanwhile, Mr Morrison, in March, said they would make sure the princess entrants and their partners are given enough time to prepare for the night.
"We have 28 entrants which is a good number and more than what we had last year. Everyone is still looking forward to the event," he said.
No doubt the 28 entrants have their fingers and toes crossed as they wish for the 2020 ball to be held.
