2,600 Free Riverboat Rides Given for Padelford's 40th Anniversary

Saint Paul, MN - As a big “Thank You” to the thousands of people who helped make their locally owned, family business successful for 40 years Padelford Riverboat Co. of St. Paul is giving away 2,600 free rides on Memorial Day a $40,000 value.  Advance reservations are required.

All 2,600 free rides were snapped up within hours of the offer being announced on the Padelford website and in the company’s May eNewsletter.  Free public excursions depart at 10 a.m., 12-noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on all three riverboats – Jonathan Padelford, Anson Northrup and Betsey Northrup.

Military veterans are encouraged to wear hats or clothing identifying themselves as veterans in recognition of Memorial Day and a special program will take place dockside at Padelford Landing at 1:40 p.m. to honor all veterans.  Participants in the brief ceremony will include St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, members of the Minnesota VFW, and Padelford founder and D-Day veteran Capt. William D. Bowell, Sr.  Capt. Bowell will be available during the day to sign his book, “Ol Man River, Memoirs of a Riverboat Captain.”  All income from book sales will be donated to the Minnesota VFW Hospitalized Veterans Fund.

Padelford also will donate profit from all concessions sold during all public trips on Memorial Day to the Minnesota VFW Hospitalized Veterans Fund and will accept donation for the Fund from passengers.  The dedicated fund was established by the VFW more than 50 years ago and today helps with day-to-day needs of hospitalized vets in VA Medical Centers in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Sioux Falls and Fargo and to purchase equipment for Veterans Homes in Minneapolis, Hastings, Luverne, Fergus Falls and Silver Bay.  The Fund also purchases transportation vans and other items not covered by annual budgets for Minnesota Veterans Homes.

Founded in 1969 by Capt. William D. Bowell, Sr., the Padelford Riverboat Co. offers public cruises and distinctive private events.  The riverboats have carried more than four million passengers on the Mississippi River including 700,000 students on school field trips.  The Padelford operates three passenger vessels for groups up to 710 passengers and the permanently moored University of Minnesota Showboat Theatre at Harriet Island Regional Park on the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul, just across the river from the Science Museum of Minnesota.  For information, discounts and tickets visit our profile or call 651-227-1100.

Please direct media inquiries to:
Capt. Jim Kosmo
651-227-1100