American Sternwheel Association

In the summer of 1975, only a few privately owned sternwheel boats were being operated on our rivers. Most of those had been old sternwheel-driven towboats which were totally rebuilt and converted to live-aboard vessels. The owners of those boats and others dedicated to the preservation and encouragement of the sternwheel boat tradition formed a small group in January 1976. They met at the historic Lafayette Hotel in Marietta, Ohio and founded of the American Sternwheel Association, Inc. (ASA).

The ASA functions primarily to raise public awareness of paddlewheel boats. These efforts are working, as evidenced by the increasing number of cities along the Ohio River and its tributaries that are having festivals centered around the boats. Some festivals have been featured on local and even national television programs.

Meetings are held on the second Saturday of every other month, beginning in January; (Jan.-Mar.-May-July-Sept.-Nov.). The May and July meetings are often held in cities other than Marietta to give members who cannot attend regularly the chance to participate. All out-of-town meetings result from an invitation from the host city and must have an organizer to make the arrangements. Members are notified of the time and location of these occurrences.

Dues are $20.00 per year for the first member of a family and include 2 issues of the ASA magazine, The Sternwheeler, and 4 issues of the ASA Newsletter. The magazine contains articles on river events, boats under construction, history, and other subjects pertinent to paddlewheel boating. The Newsletter keeps members informed on current activities.

If you enjoy history, river boating, river festivals, and the company of some really great people, you’ll enjoy them all as a member of the American Sternwheel Association.

48th Annual

OHIO RIVER STERNWHEEL FESTIVAL

Each year, the Ohio River Sternwheel festival draws crowds of up to 100,000 people to Ohio’s oldest city for a party in the streets. At the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers, festival-goers enjoy paddle-wheelers, events, and the famous fireworks display. Our sponsors and volunteers are essential for the continuation of this beloved festival tradition in our riverboat town.

Help new generations fall in love with historic Marietta by supporting the area’s biggest annual celebration.