The Watertown Riverfest Board of Directors voted to postpone the Watertown Riverfest event for this year, and move forward with a comprehensive effort to refresh and reimagine the festival's format and grounds.

Watertown Mayor Robert Stocks told WTKM that carnival rides will be running on the those dates originally set for Riverfest.

"We are taking a pause but planning on having the carnival part there with vendors around."

Even though Watertown Riverfest will not be held this year, the Riverfest Board announced that carnival rides will be set up on August 6 to August 9, which are the original dates of the festival. The midway will offer wristband specials, with carnival food and beverages.

Heavy rainfall last year exposed a number of structural and electrical issues at Riverside Park, in Watertown. The replacement or temporary staging solutions are being addressed.

The Watertown Riverfest Board is planning on a return of the event next year.

Since 2023, Riverfest exceeded 46,500 visitors from across the country over the four-day weekend, with an economic impact of over $2 million.