LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Editor's note: The above video is when the captains of the Belle of Louisville and Belle of Cincinnati butt heads before the 2023 Great Steamboat Race.
A long-time favorite event is returning to the Derby City this year.
The "Battle of the Belles" will happen on Wednesday, May 1 according to Kentucky Derby Festival (KDF) officials.
The Belle of Cincinnati will return for a rematch against the Belle of Louisville for the coveted silver antlers. The American Countess is not returning this year.
“One of our favorite traditions during Derby week, the Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race, always draws a crowd on the boats and to the banks of the Ohio River,” KDF President and CEO Matt Gibson said. “Be it strategy or shenanigans, we wish the best of luck to both boats and may the best boat win!”
As is tradition, the race will start and finish at the Clark Memorial Bridge, and is 14 miles long.
The official cocktail of the race, the Bourbon Paddlewheel, will be served on the Belle of Louisville. Created by the Brough Brothers Distillery, the drink features bourbon, Cointreau, lemon juice and simple syrup with a lemon peel garnish.
Boarding for the Great Steamboat Race will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the race starting at 6 p.m. KDF officials said. Tickets for the Belle of Louisville are sold out, but you can still get tickets to ride the Belle of Cincinnati during the race. Anyone interested needs to call (800) 261-8586.
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