FEATURE/Steamboats Re-create Historic River Race During 11-Night Vacation.NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Feb. 25, 1998--Back in 1870, a hotly contested showdown between two well-known steamboats--the NATCHEZ and the ROB'T E. LEE -- ignited the passions of America and made headlines. Schools and businesses along the Mississippi River declared a holiday in anticipation of the race, throngs of onlookers lined the riverbanks and wagering on the boats was said to be in the thousands of dollars. The spirit of that river rivalry endures today during the annual 11-night Great Steamboat Race The Great Steamboat Race is an annual event, taking place the Wednesday before the first Saturday of May, three days before the Kentucky Derby as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival. between the DELTA QUEEN and MISSISSIPPI QUEEN. Like the NATCHEZ and the LEE over a century ago, the two QUEENs will travel more than 1,200 miles of the mighty Mississippi during the 1998 race, from New Orleans to St. Louis, June 24 to July 5. Festooned with red, white and blue bunting, and colorful banners made by their passengers, they will actually cruise within sight of each other for much of the trip. It's hard for either paddlewheeler to pull ahead when top speed is about 12 miles per hour! To recreate the spirit (if not the speed) of the 1870 race, the boats will dock at quaint river communities all along the route -- where teams of passengers and crew will compete against each other in events such as the Floozie floo·zy also floo·zie n. pl. floo·zies Slang A woman regarded as tawdry or sexually promiscuous. [Origin unknown.] Noun 1. Contest, Cap'n Foghorn's Floating Follies and the Steamboatin' Olympics. Points will be awarded and the boat with the highest total at the end of the vacation will win a huge silver Commodore's Cup trophy. On July 4, the two QUEENs, with calliopes chortling, will compete in a true six-mile race into St. Louis in quest of the coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. "Golden Antlers antlers metaphorical decoration for deceived husband. [Western Folklore: Jobes, 395] See : Cuckoldry ." The gilded gild 1 tr.v. gild·ed or gilt , gild·ing, gilds 1. To cover with or as if with a thin layer of gold. 2. To give an often deceptively attractive or improved appearance to. 3. deer horns, which represent speed supremacy and bragging rights on the river, will be displayed above the winning boat's Pilot House. Passengers will arrive in St. Louis during one of America's largest Independence Day celebrations and will disembark dis·em·bark v. dis·em·barked, dis·em·bark·ing, dis·em·barks v.intr. 1. To go ashore from a ship. 2. To leave a vehicle or aircraft. v.tr. from the boats on the morning of July 5. Rates for the 11-night vacation start at $2,990 per person (double occupancy), including free round-trip airfare, port charges, four sumptuous meals a day and award-winning entertainment. Space is limited to 174 passengers on the DELTA QUEEN and 414 on the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN. For reservations, call a travel agent or The Delta Queen Steamboat steamboat: see steamship. steamboat or steamship Watercraft propelled by steam; more narrowly, a shallow-draft paddle-wheel steamboat widely used on rivers in the 19th century, particularly the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Co. at 800-543-1949. CONTACT: Delta Steamboat Company, New Orleans Public Relations, 504/586-0631 |
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