All contestants will receive appreciation awards. The “Little Miss Sternwheel” and “Little Mr. Sternwheel” will receive banners, trophies, etc, and will be the train and crown bearer for our Queen Genevieve coronation on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival on the levee. The winners will be required to attend this coronation to keep their title as “Little Miss Sternwheel” and “Little Mr. Sternwheel.”
We have to limit the number of contestants, so please send your application as soon as possible. Girls will model party dresses and boys will model Sunday best or suits. They will be asked to state their name on stage and answer a couple of questions during a personal interview with each judge.
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.
The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival in Marietta, Ohio takes place the weekend after labor day. Enjoy a weekend of family fun, fireworks and more. Admission is free.
