until Friday, Sept. 07, 2012
|
 Festival History
The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival was the brainchild of Harry Robinson
and Captains Gene Fitch and Bob Limle. The first Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
took place the weekend after Labor Day 1976. This festival was held to
encourage tourism to the Marietta
area as well as preserve the riverboat heritage for which our area is well
known.
Over the years, this festival has grown tremendously,
attracting an estimated 100,000 people to the Marietta area during the weekend. In addition
to the 30-35 authentic sternwheel
boats that line the river bank, we offer a full weekend of free, quality,
family oriented entertainment
and the best fireworks anywhere. Some of the other events that take place
during the weekend include: Children's Activities; Coronation of Queen Genevieve, with
scholarships awarded; Little Miss and Little Mr. Sternwheel Pageant; Sunday Sunrise
Service; Rollin' Oldies Car Show, and a Photo Contest.
The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival is a not for profit
organization operating on a budget of approximately $140,000 annually. We operate
and are funded through corporate sponsors, sales of souvenirs, private
donations and fundraising events. Our committee is made up strictly of
volunteers with a membership of 85 including officers, a board of trustees and
committee chairmen.
|
|
