The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta is a making a return to the Capital City after a 12 year hiatus. The much loved five day river and music festival features national music performances, carnival rides, kids activities, food and more.
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.
April 20, 2022
March 22, 2022
October 1, 2021