I have long been fascinated with Steamboats. Having lived here in rivertown the past 40 years, I've had the good fortune to gazed upon the Paddlewheels as they lazily float past my corner of the world, for most of my life. Of all the venues and festival settings that this woovillian attends on a regular basis, Tallstacks is by far my favorite. Steamboats, Old-Time and Bluegrass music, Dixieland Jazz, and more, all at the Port of Cincinnati. The riverfront is transformed into a turn of the last century river port with period dress, crafts, music, food, and more. It's a celebration of riverboating from days gone by. There are steamboat races and cruises, music, and other on-shore activities at each of the 3 ports, Cincinnati and neighboring Newport and Covington. Although several of these riverboats make periodic stop-overs throughout the year in Cincinnati and rivertowns along the Ohio River, the Tallstacks celebration happens but once every four years. That means the Tallstacks won't return to port until October, 2003. And with the promise to add the Julia Belle Swain, from the Illinois River to it's already impressive roster of authentic steamboats, it will be a sight to behold! Until then you can take this picturesque journey into the world of Tallstacks and steamboating on the Banks of the Ohio.NH

Belle of Louisville

Mississippi Queen.................................Delta Queen


Race for The Golden Antlers Finish Line,
Go Belle!

Delta Queen, Stack down!...........Sister Mary Captain's rig


Parade of Tallstacks.............................Creole Queen


A Close Race


American Queen dwarfing Delta


Cinergy Field "Home of The Reds"

The Cincinnati Riverfront Lined with Riverboats


Boats of All Sorts


Taxi Please...............................................A Grand Old Lady


The Majestic.......................Celebration, another Belle




Pickin' on The Banks of The Ohio


Peace Bell..............................American Queen's Paddlewheel Damaged in Flood

Up River

Port of Maysville, Hometown to Miss America 2000, Rosemary Clooney and Me

Scenes from Tallstacks Past

Katie Laur Band w/Mr. Spoons..... John Hartford w/Katie Laur and her Sister