JULIA BELLE SWAIN
The Julia Belle is the other boat that is "in port" at Riverside Park in the summer, when not out on sightseeing excursions. She is a true steam-driven paddlewheeler, and one of only six boats in operation now that has an authentic steam calliope. (It can be heard for miles!)
Two of the other steam calliopes are on much larger boats that have sleeping accommodations. The itineraries of both the Delta Queen and the Mississippi Queen include a scheduled stop in La Crosse while en route from St. Louis to points north on the river. They stop here again a few days later, with a new group of passengers, while traveling downstream back to St. Louis.
MISSISSIPPI QUEEN
Each arrival of one of the big boats in town is an occasion for celebration. Many La Crosse residents can be found standing along the levee waiting for the first glimpse of the boat coming around the bend.
Members of the official greeting party are dressed fancier than most!
After they've left the boat and been welcomed in style, passengers have the opportunity to spend several hours here. Some take a trolley ride or walk to downtown to check out the shops; some go on bus tours to "Amish country" or other points of interest in the area; and some choose to stay at the park to visit with local residents and/or just relax and enjoy the live music that's provided at the park during every "big boat" stopover.
Sometimes there is additional entertainment in the park for the enjoyment of the "boat folks" (and the town folks, too)...
like these colorfully dressed Native American dancers.
Photos copyright © 2004-2005 by "KayPoe"
Backgrounds and graphics © 2005 by "KayPoe"