Delta Queen postpones area visit

Published 12:00 am Monday, August 21, 2006

Due to low river levels, the Delta Queen, which was originally slated to dock in Demopolis this morning has had to cancel and reschedule for Oct. 24.

“Late Friday afternoon they called us and said that because of low river levels throughout the state they have been off schedule,” said Kelley Smith, president of the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce. “They haven’t been able to reach any of their ports on time.”

According to Smith, the Queen has particularly had trouble in the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa area.

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“It will be passing through this area,” said Smith. “But it won’t be able to stop until October.”

The Delta Queen is a floating historic landmark that was built in 1927 at a cost of $1million. According to the Web site www.deltaqueen.com, the riverboat celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 2002. It offers themed cruises ranging from Bluegrass Jamboree, to Civil War to The Six Rivers of America, which carried it through Demopolis.

“They stressed that they loved coming to Demopolis,” said Smith. “It’s just not feasible because of the draught that we are currently in.”

The Chamber is going to reschedule the breakfast on the riverbanks and tour of the Delta Queen for Oct. 24.