The American Queen Steamboat was welcomed by Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr., ladies in antebellum dresses and the sounds of the City of Vicksburg Senior Center dulcimers as it docked at the Vicksburg Cityfront at 8 a.m. Wednesday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the boat’s launch on the Mississippi River.

“We’re anticipating a big day today,” Richard Stuart volunteer at the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Interpretive Museum said.

Flaggs boarded the American Queen to present the Chairman and CEO of American Queen Steamboat Co. John Waggoner with a plaque marking the occasion. Waggoner in turn presented Flaggs a folded American flag that hung from the riverboat. The mayor was also presented with a gift to open later as not to spoil the surprise for the boat’s passengers who would be receiving the same gift.

Wandra Evans from the senior center dulcimers, who call themselves Virginia’s Senior Strummers and practice Friday’s at 10:30 a.m. at the Senior Center on South Street, was glad to be invited to play at the event.

The steamboat has docked in Vicksburg 12 times so far this year with another 13 scheduled through the rest of the year.

“The American Queen brings in close to 1,500 visitors a month during docking season,” Laura Beth Strickland, communications manager of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, said.

Travelers on the 436-passenger boat visit the Vicksburg National Military Park and tour downtown. The business and museums see an increase in traffic when the riverboats are in town.

“When the Queen is in dock our visitor rate goes up significantly,” Stuart said.  “We always enjoy that.”

Stuart believes the impact of visitors is great for the community.

“The people that come in here, whether they’re off the boats or just tourists coming in, are always asking us about other things in town, sites to see, places to eat, things to do,” Stuart said.

Charlie Belden of KJ’s River Town Grille enjoys meeting the guests as they explore town.

“When the streets look busy and people are having a good time it’s great for the atmosphere,” Belden said. “You get a lot of different cultures, people from all around the world coming off the boat.”

Ann Taylor from Western Australia is riding the American Queen as apart of her bucket list.

For some it’s all about seeing the sites, for others it’s about relaxing.

“I’ve always heard about the Mississippi and never seen it,” Kathy Bireley of Livermore, Calif. said. “I thought this would be a good way to see the Mississippi.”

Kate and Michael Caballero from Tampa, Fla. have taken multiple cruises in Europe over the years but were on their first trip up the Mississippi River.

“The service on [the American Queen] is wonderful,” Kate said. “It’s been very relaxing.”

Passenger Don Brazil looked forward to learning about the Civil War history of the area while Rhonda Brazil heard positive reviews of the boat before going aboard.

“It’s good for Vicksburg, it’s good for the museum and it’s good for the boats themselves because they want activities when they stop at a port, they want things for their passengers to be able to do,” Stuart said.

The American Queen departed Wednesday afternoonon its way to Memphis.

“We’re lucky to have it,” Belden said. “It’s like looking back in time.”