Belle of Louisville Riverboat 100 Year Birthday Celebration

Dance Mistress, Karen Chartrand Duffy in cooperation with The Belle of Louisville 100th Birthday Committee cordially invites you to attend this once-in-a-lifetime historic steamboats extravaganza!

- Riverboat Lunch and Race Cruise on The Spirit of Peoria as she races The Celebration Belle down the Ohio River.

- Civil War Grand Ball in the Historic Henry Clay's magnificent Grand Ballroom.

- Cruise aboard The Belle of Louisville as she leads her Birthday Parade of Nine Riverboats down the Ohio River.

- Moonlight Dinner Cruise upon The Belle of Cincinnati along with Birthday Fireworks over the Ohio River.

Event Schedule

1850s - 1860s Attire Requested for the Entire Extravaganza and is Required for the Grand Ball

Thursday:
8:00 pm- We will have a 'meet and greet' in a conference room of  the The Historic Brown Hotel (modern casual attire).  A review of the festival activities will be presented with a time for questions and answers

A symposium of street etiquette, luncheon and dinner etiquette and ballroom etiquette will be presented followed by a question and answer time.  Ladies Fancies Sutlery will be present for your perusal in case you may have mistakenly forgot to pack something or desire to purchase elegant items for the extravaganza

Friday:

10:30am - We begin our day by gathering in a secondary lobby of  the The Historic Brown Hotel
11:00am - We will stroll down to the riverfront and take in the beauty of the nine riverboats assembled on the Ohio River
1:00 pm -  We will board The Spirit of Peoria  for a two-hour lunch cruise.  During the cruise, The Spirit of Peoria  and The Celebration Belle  will begin a race down the Ohio River back to Louisville.  This is the only  boat race for the day and you will be a part of it! We will be cheering on The Spirit of Peoria to victory!!!  (Ladies don't forget your hankerchiefs to wave!!!)
7:00 pm - The Grand March will commence for the Steam Boats a-Comin' Grand Ball  in the Grand Ballroom at the Historic Henry Clay, which is in walking distance of The Henry Clay.  You do not need to have prior ballroom experience.  Dance Mistress, Karen Duffy, will gently and patiently instruct the dances throughout the ball.  Catered delectable desserts will be offered, along with a cash bar for your refreshment.

Saturday:

10:30 am - We will gather in a secondary lobby of The Historic Brown Hotel and stroll down to the beautiful waterfront.
12:15 pm - Festival's Main Event:  We board the star of the event - the birthday steamboat, The Belle of Louisville, as part of her exclusive passenger list.  We have the unique opportunity to enjoy a two-hour cruise on The Belle as she leads her 100th birthday flotilla parade of nine historic riverboats on the Ohio River!  There will be hors d'oeuvres served during the excursion and a parlour game or two or three!  This is the main event for The Belle and you will be on board!  Happy 100th Birthday to the Belle!
Late Afternoon -  Feel free to enjoy a late afternoon meal on your own and participate in the many festivities scheduled on the waterfront.
7:00 pm - We will gather in the main lobby of the Historic Brown Hotel and walk to our evening formal meal held on the Belle of Cincinnati.  This moonlight dinner cruise is part of the gathering of all the historic riverboats out on the Ohio River as a salute to The Belle of Louisville's 100th Birthday Celebration.  Throughout the evening, Mr. James Duffy, a native of Scotland, will be entertaining you with a selection of love poems by Robert Burns, the national Bard of Scotland, and one of the most read poets by Americans in the 19th century.  Toward the end of the cruise, you will have the privilege of watching the fireworks display over the waters of the Ohio River from the observation deck of our steamboat, The Belle of Cincinnati.

Sunday:

All-day:  You have the opportunity to, at your own leisure (all together or in smaller groups), participate in the continuing scheduled festivities by the city of Louisville.
Taking Your Leave: Feel free to leave for home at your own pleasure with all your wonderful memories of the Grand Ball and the experiences during your time aboard the steamboats.  Drive safely and thank you for attending!