Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, and the town around it
Sept 11-13 in Marietta. A town of 13,000 at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum takes on about 100,000 visitors for three days, when sternwheelers line the levee and the whole downtown turns out.
What is on, and when
The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival schedule as published for Sept 11-13, 2026. Times move on the day, so treat the organisers as the last word.
- MARIETTA, OHIO
- Ohio River Sternwheel Festival Sept 11–13 · Ohio River Levee · free
- STERNWHEEL FESTIVAL
- since 1976 · sternwheelers line the levee three days of music, boats and fireworks
- FRIDAY, SEPT 11
- opening ceremonies 6 PM Edwin McCain on the levee stage 9:30 PM
- SATURDAY, SEPT 12
- music from noon · Queen's Coronation 7 PM Harry J. Robinson fireworks 9:30 PM
- SUNDAY, SEPT 13
- sunrise service 8:30 AM Captain Sands Memorial boat races 1 PM
- OHIO RIVER LEVEE
- downtown Marietta · Post Street free admission all three days
- SEE YOU ON THE RIVER
- sternwheel.org for the full schedule
Walking it
The whole festival is on the Ohio River levee, and Harmar Village is over the footbridge, two walkable districts joined by a pedestrian span.
Roughly 2h from Columbus, OH, 2h 15m from Pittsburgh, PA. Those are door to door by car and will move with traffic.
Where to eat in Marietta
21 independent, owner run places in Marietta. This is a selection, not a ranking, and it is not everywhere in town.
- Busy Bee Restaurant & Diner. Open since 1944. Belinda Winsett & Stephanie Cowart, mother and daughter - Stephanie worked there 12 years before they bought it 740-373-3755
- Levee House Bistro. 1826 riverfront building. Chef-owner Tom Hickey, ex-Lafayette Hotel; wife Casey pushed him to open 740-371-7035
- Harmar Tavern. Famous for the fried bologna sandwich 740-373-8727
- The Galley. Since 1981, in an 1899 building 740-374-8278
- Over the Moon Pub & Pizza. 150-year-old downtown building 740-373-4000
- The Original Pizza Place. Since 1976. Best of the Mid-Ohio Valley winner 740-374-4333
- Spagna's. Southern Italian in historic Harmar Village 740-376-9245
- Boathouse BBQ. Since 2007. 12+ awards, 72-item menu 740-373-3006
- Tampico Mexican. Established 1998 740-374-8623
- Austyn's. Beef filet, lamb, Maryland crab cake 740-374-8188
- Jeremiah's Coffee House. Homemade soups, gluten-free baking 740-374-2639
- Gator's Pub. Cold drinks and karaoke 740-434-7958
- Star of India. Indian, downtown - the one cuisine nobody else here has 740-371-5350
- Town House. Downtown mainstay 740-374-5073
- McKenna's Market. Deli - homemade salads, subs, Amish cheeses 740-371-7087 200 Front St
- Stoked Coffee. Best coffee in the Mid-Ohio Valley, 50+ flavors 740-568-9955 302 Pike St
- House of Wines. Restaurant inside a wine shop; owner trained in French fine dining 740-373-0996 4339 State Route 60
- Black Diamond Brewery & Distillery. Craft brewery, distillery and kitchen 740-371-7118 167 Front St
- Wilky's Sports Bar. Wings, burgers, sandwiches 740-374-3007 10 Tiber Way
- Kreamy Kreations. Hand-dipped, 16 flavors incl. nondairy 740-373-8108 112 Greene St
- Spanglish. Latin-inspired, waterfront patio 740-516-5729 106 Greene St
About these listings
Everything on this page is published for information only. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, its organisers, or any business listed here. Details are gathered from public sources and organisers change them, so confirm anything you are relying on before you travel.
How FOG works while you do this
FOG: Fog of War Walking Map covers the world in fog and clears it only where you physically walk. Spend a day on foot at a festival like this one and the town comes out of the dark in blocks rather than a thin line, because the streets are short and close together.
It runs in your pocket with the screen off. There is no account and no server. It is free to explore, with a single purchase of USD 5.99 for unlimited ranks, every character and history import. If you already have Google Timeline or GPX files, importing them paints in everywhere you have already walked here.
Questions people actually ask
When is Ohio River Sternwheel Festival?
Sept 11-13, 2026, in Marietta, Ohio.
How far is Marietta from Columbus, OH?
About 2h by car, door to door.
Where should I eat in Marietta?
There are 21 independent, owner run places listed above with phone numbers. It is a selection rather than a ranking, and there is plenty in town it does not cover.
Are you affiliated with the festival or the businesses listed?
No. Everything here is published for information only. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any festival, organiser or business named on this page.
Does FOG need a data connection while I walk?
No. The map lives on your phone and reveals as you move, with or without signal. Nothing is sent anywhere because there is no server.
Start with a dark map.
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