OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The Santa Lucia Festival won't be held at the Lewis & Clark Landing for the 2nd time in 8 years due to flooding.
After discussions with the City of Omaha Tuesday morning, officials announced the 95th year of the festival will be held in the large parking lots just west of the landing.
The City of Omaha is closely watching the rising Missouri River, and told committee president Todd Procopio that it's possible the flood gates would need to be closed at any point this week.
“Setup for this year’s festival had to start on Tuesday to meet Thursday’s opening night. Had setup begun on the landing, and then the flood gates closed, the festival would have been forced to shut down," said Procopio.
Despite the move, the festival will not have to downsize any part of its celebration. The west parking lots fully support all activities and operations planned, a press release from Procopio says.
The Santa Lucia Festival was established in 1925 and is one of the Midwest's longest running festivals.
The 2019 celebration runs from June 6th through the 9th.
