The City of Paducah is thrilled to welcome steamboats back to Paducah’s historic riverfront.  The American Queen will be making the first of its six scheduled stops this year in Paducah on Sunday, May 13 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.  At noon, company representatives will be at the riverfront to make a presentation to City representatives.  The American Queen was recently acquired and refurbished by the Memphis-based Great American Steamboat Company.

Public Information Officer Pam Spencer says, “Paducah has so much to offer steamboat passengers.  They can enjoy the lovely shops, restaurants, and cultural venues downtown.  Plus, many will spend the day at galleries as they get a chance to work with LowerTown artists.”  Spencer adds, “With the Delta Queen turned into a floating hotel in Chattanooga and the Mississippi Queen sold as scrap last year, many ports like Paducah had a noticeable void.  But the foot of Broadway will be busy this year with passengers from the American Queen and the newly constructed Queen of the Mississippi.”

The American Queen was christened in Memphis, Tennessee on April 27.  Priscilla Presley attended the event and broke a bottle of champagne on the boat’s hull.  The American Queen was built and entered into service in 1995 by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company.  The steamboat was purchased by the Great American Steamboat Company and underwent a significant renovation.  The steamboat is 418 feet long and can accommodate 436 guests.  For more information about the American Queen, visit www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com.

The Queen of the Mississippi, owned by American Cruise Lines, will stop five times in Paducah from August through November.  Construction of the Queen of the Mississippi was completed earlier this year.  For more information, visit www.americancruiselines.com.

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