Labor Market Forces Cancellation Of IL City's Summer Festival

PEORIA, IL — Peoria has canceled its Taste of Peoria summer festival, citing the economy and labor market.

“After discussions by organizers with many of our restaurant partners, given the current economic and labor market (both volunteer and paid), locally and globally, providing a quality event for the community is cost-prohibitive,” said Peoria Area Community Events, the group that puts on the annual festival, in a Facebook post announcing the cancellation.

“We believe the better option for 2022 is to encourage everyone to continue to support and spend at local restaurant and business establishments to further assist in the economic recovery of our community so we can work to provide the community with the quality events it deserves and expects.”

The Taste of Peoria was canceled in 2021 as well, with the organizer similarly noting an inability for community partners to find staff.

The economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic have included inflation, workforce shortages and supply chain issues. In April, the country’s inflation rate was 8.3 percent and the worker shortages persisted.