The weather forecast showed a small window around 5pm to get a dry race in. What race? Why the Great Steamboat Race of course. For those unfamiliar with this annual event, the Belle of Louisville is a period era steam-powered paddle boat that’s been operating on the Ohio River since 1914. In it’s hay-day, she ferried people and cargo up and down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and just about any other waterway she could travel. In 1963 she started her new hobby of steamboat racing against the Delta Queen and The Great Steamboat Race was formed.

Today the annual opponent is the Belle of Cincinnati, a larger diesel powered boat. Because of the huge difference in speed between the two boats, the boats have other challenges that change from year to year and level the playing ground.

But this isn’t so much about winning in particular when you’re going 5 miles per hour but more about the party that goes along with it. With the Belle of Louisville hosting over 700 guests and the Belle of Cincinnati hosting near 1000 and a great buffet and an open bar with plenty of Four Roses single barrel bourbon flowing, it’s more of a party than a race.

For some people it will be their first steamboat race. For others it’s an annual event that they have attended for decades. For the regulars, it’s a great reunion. For others it’s a time to make new friendships. As an example, my wife ran into a person who graduated from high school the same year she did but at a different school not too far away. They found out they cruised the same spot in town. Furthermore, they have crossed paths through different states over the years.

The weather forecast was spot on. Standing in line to board, a good rain shower was falling, but as we boarded the Belle of Louisville the rain stopped and the skies cleared as the boats cleared their moorings. The race was on. A cannon shot as the boats pass the 2nd Street Bridge signals the beginning of the race.

And was it cold…

Wind gusts to 30 mph added to the boat’s high speeds of 5 mph and temperatures in the upper 50’s meant more Bourbon to stay warm. The chill and remaining sprinkles didn’t dampen the spirits of the guests as they cheered their boat on. Down the stretch, with a several boat length lead, the Belle of Louisville looked like she was heading to victory, but the powerful engines on the Belle of Cincinnati were too much and in a close race, the out of town paddle-wheeler steamed (er dieseled) to a one boat length victory.

The boats docked. Annual friends, new and old said farewell for another year.