CAPE GIRARDEAU WELCOMES RIVER ROYALTY

PADUCAH, Ky. -- When Samuel (Mark Twain) Clemens was growing up in Hannibal, the daily arrival of the packet steamboat always brought the sleepy little river town to life.

In his "Life on the Mississippi," Twain recalls: "There was a time when the cry `Steamboat A'Comin' would shake the air and stir the soul. Townsfolk would grab their hats and walking sticks, bonnets and little ones and hurry down to the levee to wave the steamboat in."

Today, even in decidedly more modern times, the excitement of not one, but two steamboats blowing the landing signal on their deep-throated steam whistles still brings the same thrill to river towns.

That golden era of the luxurious floating palaces will come alive again today when the Mississippi Queen and her sister steamboat, the Delta Queen, dock at Cape Girardeau at around 10 a.m.

The steamboats are on the final leg of their reenactment of the Great Steamboat Race of 1870 between the Natchez and the Robert E. Lee, from New Orleans to St. Louis. It is an annual event.

Today, however, the race is carried on in segments, with lots of time for stops in communities along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers for special events and activities ashore.

On Saturday, the steamboats stopped in Paducah, where the crew and passengers participated in a number of activities with the townspeople watching.

While that was going on, other people came down to the Paducah waterfront to look over the last two overnight passenger steamboats in the United States.

Greg Shaw, a Paducah chef, brought his grandson to the waterfront to see the boats. "It's amazing that anything that big can float," Shaw said, referring to the Mississippi Queen.

Shaw said when the steamboats dock at Paducah, many of the passengers stop in at the restaurant where he works.

Bill Bowling of Lone Oak, west of Paducah, came down to the waterfront with his wife, Debbie, and daughters, Ashley and Brittany.

"This is the first time we've ever seen the steamboats this close," said Bowling. "They're both beautiful boats. I would really love to ride either one of them."

Bowling said only the boat he's ridden is the General Jackson, at Opryland in Nashville. He said, "I'd like to get on one of the boats at New Orleans and ride it up the river. It's really a great way to spend some time on the river."

Gary Allgood of Dallas, Texas, was in Paducah visiting his family and discovered the steamboats when he came down to the riverfront. Allgood said, "I'd love to go on a trip on one of them. I think it would be great. I know my kids would love it."

Kisha Cohagen, purser on the Mississippi Queen, said the crew and passengers on both boats are looking forward to the finals of "Cap'n Foghorn's Floating Follies" talent show, which begins at 10:30 a.m., today, at the Courthouse Park gazebo in Cape Girardeau.

She said, "I believe there are eight finalists. There will be singing and some comedy acts."

When the steamboats dock at Cape Girardeau this morning, the Water Street Six, a New Orleans-Dixieland jazz band, will be on hand to welcome the passengers ashore, along with the Convention and Visitors Bureau's Paddle Wheelers.

From 10-10:30 a.m., there will be a warm-up piano player and an ensemble from one of the boats.

Dr. M.C. Kasten of Cape Girardeau is the celebrity judge. Those planning to attend the talent show should bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Cohagen said the talent show is one of many special events and activities for the passengers as they steam up the river to St. Louis. "We had our Steamboat Floozie contest at Natchez. The Delta Queen won that one," she reported. Other competitive events between the two boats were held in Memphis and Paducah.

The Capaha Antique Car Club will have a display of vintage automobiles on Water Street, while the steamboats are docked here.

Steamboat souvenirs will also be on sale from both steamboats at the waterfront.

Prior to their scheduled 3 p.m. departure for St. Louis, the steamboats will present a concert of music on their steam calliopes.

Visitors arrive:

The Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen steamboats are scheduled to arrive at the Cape Girardeau waterfront today at 10 a.m.

Activities planned:

A talent show, Cap'n Foghorn's Floating Follies, will be held at the gazebo in Courthouse Park beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The Capaha Antique Car Club will display their vintage automobiles on Water Street, while the steamboats are docked here.

Prior to their departure at 3 p.m., the steamboats will present a concert of calliope music.

Parking available

Free parking will be available at Boatmen's Bank, at North Main and Broadway, and at Capital Bank, in the 300 block of Broadway.