09/14/2026
🎉🚢 WOW… JUST WOW! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE 50TH OHIO RIVER STERNWHEEL FESTIVAL! 🚢🎉
As we look back on this unforgettable weekend, we can’t help but feel incredibly proud, thankful, and maybe even a little emotional about what this festival has become over the past 50 years. ❤️
The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival was the brainchild of Harry Robinson and Captains Gene Fitch and Bob Limle, with the very first festival taking place the weekend after Labor Day in 1976. Their vision was to encourage tourism to the Marietta area while preserving and celebrating the riverboat heritage that has played such an important role in our community.
What started 50 years ago has grown into one of our area’s most beloved traditions, welcoming an estimated 100,000 people to Marietta during festival weekend and bringing together generations of families, friends and visitors along the banks of the beautiful Ohio River.
From the 20-25 authentic sternwheel boats lining the riverbank to our children’s activities, pageants, Queen Genevieve Coronation, car show, entertainment, food, Art Stroll, beloved traditions and, of course, our 50th Anniversary Fireworks Super Show, this weekend was truly one we will never forget. 🎆🚢
But something this special doesn’t just happen.
The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival is a not-for-profit organization, and behind these three incredible days is an entire year of planning, meetings, fundraising, preparation and hard work. Our committee is made up entirely of volunteers—approximately 90 dedicated individuals who give their time and talents because they love this festival, our community and everything this tradition represents.
It takes ALL of us working together to make this event happen year after year.
To our volunteers, sponsors, donors, sternwheel captains and crews, entertainers, vendors, community partners, first responders, law enforcement, city crews and everyone who played a part in making our 50th celebration possible—THANK YOU! ❤️
And most importantly, thank YOU—our visitors. Whether this was your first Sternwheel Festival or you’ve been coming for decades, you are the reason this tradition continues.
We truly could not have asked for a better weekend—the visitors, the sights, the sounds, the boats, the entertainment, the atmosphere and that absolutely unforgettable Super Show! 🎆
Harry Robinson, Gene Fitch and Bob Limle had a vision 50 years ago. We hope they would be proud to see what that vision has become today.
50 years. Countless memories. One incredible tradition. ❤️🚢
From all of us at the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, THANK YOU for making our 50th anniversary one for the history books!
The 50th may be over, but the memories made along the Ohio River this weekend will stay with us for years to come.
Here’s to the past 50 years—and to keeping this incredible river tradition alive for generations to come. ❤️🚢🎆
