|
Little & Big Boats on the Mississippi River
Head down to the Mississippi River all around Alton where the classic little boats in Alton and a big boat in Grafton will be at the helm of the weekend events Saturday & Sunday, June 27 & 28, 2009. Begin the weekend checking out the classic little boats in Alton at the Fourth Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival. Then, head upriver to Grafton where the big towboat will dock on the riverfront for the Great Rivers Towboat Festival.
Antique & Classic Boat Festival
 The classic little boats will be lining the docks of the Alton Marina, located at #1 Henry St., for the Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 27 & 28, 2009. The festival is presented by the Mississippi Valley Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS). More than 70 boats will be displayed on both land and water, including large cruisers and many runabouts dating from 1930 to 1970, representing the remarkable craftsmanship from years past to the present. One of the main attractions will be the 1951 Chris Craft Continental boat. This 26-foot all mahogany twin engine replica was made right in Godfrey, Il. by the late John Kleinschnittger. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.missvalleyacbs.com or call (636) 441-3559.
Great Rivers Towboat Festival
 The BIG boat will be on display where the Mighty Mississippi and Illinois rivers meet in Grafton at the annual Great Rivers Towboat Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 27 & 28, 2009. Enjoy a little music, a little bit of barbeque, crawfish boil and a whole lot of fun touring a working towboat and experiencing life on the Mississippi River. A working towboat will be on display courtesy of the Luhr Brothers from Columbia, Ill. Take a glimpse at what day-to-day life is like for the crew working and living on towboats with free tours from noon to 4 p.m. each day, weather permitting.
In addition to towboat tours, there will be plenty of entertainment both days with live music by The Five and Dimers, a Kid's Corner with activities for kids, radio-controlled boats on display by the St. Louis Admirals Club and a variety of vendors displaying art, books and souvenirs. The Hawg Pit in Grafton will be serving up some bar-beque on the festival grounds, and the traditional festival Cajun buffet will feature jambalaya, shrimp and crawfish. The Great Rivers Tour Boat Company will also be offering 30 to 45 minute riverboat rides aboard the "Heron" each day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for boat rides are $10 for adults and $7 for kids (12 and under).
The Great Rivers Towboat Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and towboat tours are free. For more information on the festival, call (618) 786-7000 or 1-800-ALTON-IL.
Plan on making your way to the Alton Region for great festivals all summer long. Click here for more details on other upcoming events.
|
