Ed Lowe/photo

Pictured is the American Queen previously docked at the Riverfront Park. The ship will be making a total of four stops here in Point Pleasant this summer.

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POINT PLEASANT — Reportedly the largest river steamboat, the American Queen will be making one of only two stops in West Virginia at the Riverfront Park and those aboard will be exploring Point Pleasant.

The American Queen will be docking at the Riverfront Park on Sunday, July 15, and then again on Friday, July 20. It was reported the ship will be at the Riverfront Park all day long on those days for locals to see. The Mason County Convention and Visitors Bureau will also be providing tours for the passengers from 1-5 p.m. on July 15, and then from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on July 20. The only other stop in West Virginia will be in Wheeling.

According to Denny Bellamy, Executive Director of the Mason County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the American Queen docking here in Point Pleasant is a sign there is a lot to see around town.

“If the American Queen picks you out, it tells you are a legitimate tourism destination,” Bellamy said. Bellamy said passengers will be touring the Riverfront Park, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, the Point Pleasant River Museum, and Fort Randolph.

In addition to being an event that helps draw out local tourists and the passengers on the ship, Bellamy stated Point Pleasant will also get a great amount of publicity from the docking of the ship. Bellamy continued, saying when people hear of the American Queen docking here in Point Pleasant it will be a sign for other tourists, not only the passengers aboard the ship, that there are important and interesting attractions here, which will then draw those other tourists into town.

It was also noted that while locals are welcome to come down to the Riverfront Park to see the American Queen to take pictures and visit with crew members, among other things, the tours by the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are referring to the passenger tours around the city. Local residents will not be permitted to tour the actual ship.

Bellamy also stated the American Queen will be docking again at the Riverfront Park on July 24 and July 30. Tours will also be provided on those days.

Built in 1995, it was reported that the American Queen has a total of 222 state rooms, a capacity of 436 guests, and is 418 feet long and 89 feet wide. For more on the American Queen and the other voyages and destinations coming up, visit www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com.