Belle of Louisville Riverboats celebrates the Belle’s birthday with “Gamblers, Rogues &Ne’er-Do-Wells” event
Gamblers, Rogues & Ne’er-Do-Wells will capture the more light-hearted aspects of the Golden Age of Steamboats, including the general mischief, tomfoolery and roguishness of this bygone era, with a focus on card playing, music and merriment. During the three-hour event, which includes a two-hour cruise, the Belle will be transformed into what a riverboat looked like in the late 1800s, fancy but with a bit of a saloon flair. Passengers will spend their time just as they probably did back then – playing card games from the era (and maybe cheating?), enjoying cowboy cuisine and (too many?) drinks inspired by period recipes.
Gamblers, Rogues & Ne’er-Do-Wells is part of a 110-day celebration as the historic Belle of Louisville – the world’s oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat and a National Historic Landmark – turns 110 years old. Tickets for the event support the historic steamboat’s upkeep and maintenance through Friends of the Belle, a 501c3 nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation, celebration and support of the BOLR organization and river history programs in the Louisville area.
Louisville’s performing husband and wife duo, Greg and Abigail Maupin, will emcee the event and perform as “Rannygazoo,” with a focus on forgotten songs about hooch and immoral women. Brigid Kaelin, Americana artist and multi-instrumentalist, will also be performing yesteryear tunes. Costumed actors will lead tours around the Belle as well as conducting absinthe tastings in one of the boat’s original staterooms, today known as the Captain’s Quarters. Passengers also will get to shop in the onboard “General Store,” featuring vintage- and nautical-inspired wares, candies and other snacks, as well as commemorative art and merchandise. Seasoned card sharks and novices alike can take part in old-fashioned Poker, Faro and Brag for the chance to win prizes.
“Our Belle of Louisville is truly the last of her kind in the world,” said Krista Snider, Chief Executive Officer of the Belle of Louisville Riverboats. “So, we designed the Gamblers event to commemorate her storied history over the past 110 years and to give a nod to a particularly dynamic chapter of American history that riverboats like the Belle made possible.”
Gamblers, Rogues and Ne’er-Do-Wells is part of a 110-day celebration as the historic Belle of Louisville – the world’s oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat and a National Historic Landmark – turns 110 years old. Tickets for the event support the historic steamboat’s upkeep and maintenance through Friends of the Belle, a 501c3 nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation, celebration and support of the Belle of Louisville Riverboats organization and river history programs in the Louisville area.
Tickets are available at BelleofLouisville.org and are $79.99 per person, including food and some drinks, as well as the tastings and card games. All attendees must be at least 21 years of age or older.