MARIETTA - For some, the annual Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, which officially gets under way Friday, starts a little sooner and ends a little later.
By Monday, more than a dozen sternwheelers had found their way to the Ohio River levee at Marietta for the weekend festival.
Although many of the boats are local, some travel more than a day from ports north or south to make the event. And for most, the sentiment seems to be "why not make a week or two of it?"
First thing is first, for most, and that's ensuring a good spot to tie-off along the levee. With as many as 30 of the big boats expected, things can get crowded.
Floyd and Nancy Drake of Lowell pulled into the levee this past weekend in their sternwheeler, The Nancy Ann. It's their 17th year at the festival.
"We know just about everyone here, their children and even the names of their pets," Nancy Drake said. "This week, we're just one big floating community and we love every minute of it."
Floyd Drake said he always wanted to build a sternwheeler, but when he had a chance to buy one that was nearly complete, he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
"I just like the river, I guess. But it's been great," he said. "We get out quite a bit, really. She's usually docked right in front of our house."
Bob McIntosh, 77, of Lowell has attended the sternwheel festival at Marietta nearly every year since it began in 1976. This is his first year at the festival in his own sternwheeler.
"I bought this one after I saw it was for sale at the festival last year," he said. "I always wanted one, and I talked to my kids and they told me to go for it. They promised to help me work on it and keep it up."
McIntosh named the boat The Diana Jean, after one of his children who died a little more than a year ago. The boat was previously known as The Lil' Dipper.
"I looked at a couple that were for sale, but I didn't want to go too big," he said. "I piloted some pretty big boats in the Navy, but this is a hell of a lot different."
McIntosh's boat, like most others moored at the levee, was crawling with people who all seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"We've got family, friends, and people from the other boats who all stop by," he said.
"Everyone has fun and that's the point. As long as the weather holds out, I think we'll be just fine."
