EAST PEORIA, IL – In its first year, the Flying Fish Festival and Bowfishing Tournament had 34 registered teams and served over 280 pounds of carp to the public at the festival. Accordingly, it is no surprise that organizers look forward to its second year and continued success.

Festivities will be held July 11 at Bass Pro Shops in East Peoria, IL. The bowfishing tournament will once again begin at 5am with final public weigh-in at 2pm. Team registration is now open with a tournament fee of $120 per team up to 4. The tournament will be run in a "Big 20 Format", and $7,500 in cash prizes will be awarded to the top 5 teams.

But you don't have to fish to have fun! The festival portion of the event, running from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., has a lineup that both kids and adults alike won't want to miss. Some festival features include the Illinois Department of Natural Resources displays and activities, animals from Wildlife Prairie Park, Peoria Park District's Gus and Goldie Mascots, electronic games, and more. Once again, attendees will have the choice to sample the carp in a variety of sorts.

To further spread awareness and opportunities of Asian Carp in the area, several local leaders will also be hosting a conference centered on supply, demand and market based solutions of Asian Carp July 10th on Peoria's Riverfront. More detailed information of the conference will be released at a later date.The PACVB represents an eight county region including Bureau, Fulton, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford. The organization's mission is to promote the Peoria Area as a destination for visitors and contribute to the economic growth of the communities they represent.

Visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peoria-Flying-Fish/403370746473075 or http://www.greaterpeoriaedc.org/asian-carp for more information on the event and Asian Carp efforts in Peoria.


The PACVB represents an eight county region including Bureau, Fulton, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford. The organization's mission is to promote the Peoria Area as a destination for visitors and contribute to the economic growth of the communities they represent.