PEORIA -- Peoria will have to make do without an annual summertime favorite this year.
Peoria Area Community Events announced Steamboat Days' cancellation in a Facebook post late Thursday afternoon.
PACE said the high waters of the Ilinois River prevent the festival from being held at its usual site. The organizers said it was not able to find a new location on such short notice, forcing them to cancel Steamboat Days this year.
The National Weather Service in Lincoln said the Illinois River crested at 26.8 feet in Peoria on June 2. The river's level is slowly falling, but not quickly enough for clean up at the park for thousands of carnivalgoers, organizers said.
The festival includes live music, food, games, and rides, including a large Ferris Wheel set up at Riverfront Park near the Murray Baker Bridge.
Steamboat Days was set for June 13-16 this year.