Council Bluffs City officials say due to the recent Missouri River flooding, the current condition of the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park and this summer’s projected Missouri River levels they have and the Iowa West Foundation have canceled Loessfest 2019.
Loessfest has traditionally kicked off the summer season with a free, family-friendly festival and live concert during Memorial Day weekend on the Iowa side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.
In April, officials announced the postponement of Loessfest, moving it to Labor Day weekend hoping the park would then be dry.
“Cancelling Loessfest was not an easy decision to make. We know it has become a summer tradition for many of our residents,” says Mayor Matt Walsh. “The Missouri River has begun to recede and is not posing a threat to our levees. However, it is forecasted to remain at a level that leaves River Road and the western edge of the park flooded all summer.”
Vincent Martorello, Director of Parks and Recreation for Council Bluffs says “River’s Edge Park was designed to flood, and once the river is back in its banks we will begin cleanup. It saddens us to cancel Loessfest this year, but we are confident that the park will be restored when the flooding resides.”
In the absence of Loessfest, the City has begun planning a different community-wide celebration to be held at Bayliss Park over Labor Day weekend.