Experience America’s River Roots Festival: Celebrate 250 Years of Ohio River Culture!

America’s River Roots Festival

Overview

America’s River Roots festival will celebrate inland river cuisine, music, and culture. It will mark America’s 250th anniversary by attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Ohio River banks in Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport from October 8-12, 2025.

Festival Features

The festival will showcase nine riverboats along the Ohio River. Visitors can enjoy over 200 cruise experiences on the following boats:

• Steamboat NATCHEZ from New Orleans
• Belle of Louisville and Mary M. Miller from Louisville
• Celebration Belle from Moline, Illinois
• Belle of Memphis from Memphis
• Three Rivers Queen from Pittsburgh
• Anson & Betsey Northrup from Minneapolis/St. Paul
• Belle of Cincinnati and River Queen from Cincinnati

Eight cruise options will be available:

• Brunch and lunch cruises
• Dinner cruises
• Late-night cruises
• Sightseeing tours
• Parade cruise
• Riverboat Race Cruise

Full boat charters will also be available for companies and nonprofit fundraisers. Ticket prices start at $40 per person.

Historical Focus

The festival highlights the Ohio River’s importance in American history. It aims to promote cultural tourism and provide a unique experience for the Cincinnati region. The Ohio 250 and Kentucky 250 Commissions endorse the event, which seeks national recognition from the U.S. America 250 Commission.

Activities

Festival activities will include:

• Live music in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
• Educational programs about the Ohio River’s role in the Underground Railroad
• Food and bourbon tastings

Further programming details will be announced throughout 2025. The festival is expected to generate tens of millions of dollars in economic impact.