HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Huntington may have a permanent new fall attraction, depending on the success of a 10-day test run starting at the end of the month.
The Marietta, Ohio-based Valley Gem Sternwheeler riverboat will be docked at the west end of Harris Riverfront Park from Oct. 29 through Nov. 8, offering a full schedule of public sightseeing tours, dinner cruises and a Halloween night murder mystery.
The boat also will be open for rentals for private cruises and events such as educational trips, receptions and business meetings.
The Gem can hold up to 290 passengers.
Group and individual tickets are on sale for the two special cruises as well as for the daily sightseeing cruises.
Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Tyson Compton said the organization is excited to bring the Valley Gem to town for the extended tour.
“We heard (the Valley Gem) was really well done, and it is,” Compton said. “In our conversations, they were quick to share helpful information, and it also became apparent that they might be interested in looking at Huntington as another business location. There are no concrete plans in effect, but they will see if Huntington could support a riverboat operation…
