RIVERBOAT WILL MAKE 20 CRUISES; EXCURSIONS FULFILL LONG-TIME DREAM

When Captain Robin Huff guides the Spirit of St. Charles towards the Mississippi River wharf at Cape Girardeau late today, it will be the first time the 98-foot-long river cruise boat has traveled this far from its St. Charles home.

The boat will be temporarily renamed Spirit of Riverfest during two days of river cruises at this year's Cape Girardeau Riverfest. In all, 20 cruises will be made during the weekend, 15 of which are hourlong cruises.

For those who have never been on a riverboat on the Mississippi or had the opportunity to see Cape Girardeau from mid-stream, a trip on the Spirit of Riverfest is an event not to be missed.

The Spirit left St. Charles Wednesday for the trip down to the mouth of the Missouri River, then entered the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The boat is to stop at Ste. Genevieve today to pick up passengers for the final leg of the trip.

Huff said the Spirit of St. Charles is a replica of the paddlewheel steamboats that were common to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers at the turn of the century. During the summer and fall, the Spirit of St. Charles makes daytime sightseeing cruises, night dinner entertainment cruises on the Missouri River and a daylong cruise down the Missouri to the Mississippi River and up the Illinois River to Pere Marquette State Park.

The twin-screw, 500-passenger vessel, built in 1987 by Marine Builders Inc. of Utica, Ind., is powered by two diesel engines. Huff said the boat was built to authentic Victorian style with all the grace and elegance of a simpler time.

Tim Blattner, who coordinated the Spirit of St. Charles' journey to Riverfest, said some of the cruises are sold out and others are close to selling out. Additional information on cruises and tickets are available at Boatmen's Bank and the Show Me Center, or by calling 651-5000.