Tag: sternwheeler

Eclectopia Ghost Story: The Playful Prankster

Soon we were aboard the Hobby III. To my utter surprise, we learned the Hobby III was being visited by the ghost of its former owner, Harry Wilson.

This past July, my friend and I were walking around during Charleston’s newly returned Sternwheel Regatta. After making the rounds that hot day, we needed some refreshment and shade. Seated riverside, cold water in hand, she looked over and saw a sternwheeler that friends of hers owned. Soon we were aboard the Hobby III.

My old pal, and WVPB News Director Eric Douglas, was there and we all started chatting amiably about all sorts of things. Then I was introduced to the owner, JD Pauley, and his friend Brian Carr.

JD has a laid-back, engaging personality with a very funny dry wit. Sensing that my question would not be perceived as odd or crazy, I asked JD whether he had any personal experiences with ghosts. After all, boats and water seem to be a frequent paranormal setting.

To my utter surprise, he said that the Hobby III was being visited by the former owner, Harry Wilson.

Well, knock me over with a feather.

Harry Wilson
Photo credit: Unknown
Hobby III owner JD Pauley with the wheel that Harry Wilson was holding when he passed. Photo credit: Jim Lange/WVPB
Close-up of the boat log, in Louise Wilson’s handwriting, with a newspaper clipping of Harry’s passing. Photo credit: Jim Lange/WVPB
JD shows the sconce light that mysteriously comes on. Photos of Harry Wilson are hung below that light. Photo credit: Jim Lange/WVPB

Sternwheel Regatta Returning to Charleston in 2022

A beloved festival that honors its river tradition is returning to Charleston.

The Sternwheel Regatta, a large city-wide festival featuring a flotilla of paddle-wheel boats, will return to Charleston, West Virginia next year.

Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin confirmed the announcement Friday at the city’s Live On The Levee performance in Charleston.

The regatta began in 1971 and grew into a 10-day festival that featured boats on the river, sternwheeler racing and plenty of music featuring national artists. Thousands of people ventured to Charleston’s levee on the Kanawha River to celebrate its tradition and the historic boats that were a part of its history.

The regatta’s last year was in 2009.

Goodwin said the popular festival will return over the 4th of July holiday weekend in 2022. She made the announcement alongside members of the Sternwheelers Association. She is seeking public input on the specifics of the regatta’s return.

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