Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Map

Our History

NELSON JONES, REGATTA FOUNDER
8.2.1957 – 7.25.2010

At age 13, Nelson Jones mentioned the idea of a sternwheel race to his surrogate mother, Henny Cook, executive secretary to then-Mayor John Hutchinson. Cook encouraged him to present the idea to the Mayor.

On September 5, 1971, Jones corralled five sternwheelers and launched the Regatta.

Thousands lined the banks to watch the majestic sternwheelers parade up and down the river.

CHARLESTON REGATTA COMMISSION

Andy Richardson, President
Councilman Brent Burton, Vice President
Patrick Smith, Treasurer
Terrell Ellis, Secretary
Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin
Ben Mishoe
Councilwoman Becky Ceperley
Councilwoman Mary Beth Hoover
Dr. Elisha Lewis
Joshua Scott
Commissioner Ben Salango
Dr Michelle Foster
Richard Katz

Contact Us

    WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE Sternwheel Regatta? LEARN HOW ON OUR REGISTRATION PAGE.