The colorful and nostalgic Great Steamboat Race began in 1963 and has brought nearly as much attention and prestige to Louisville as the Kentucky Derby itself. Since its inception, the event has been a contest primarily between Louisville's historic steamer, the Belle of Louisville, and New Orleans' Delta Queen. Both boats were added to the National Historic Register in 1990 and are two of only six authentic steamboats in operation.

On the Wednesday before the Kentucky Derby, the excitement starts to build for this cherished racing tradition - a 14-mile battle up and down the Ohio River. The Belle and its River City rival stage a musical calliope duel before the race, which starts at the Clark Memorial Bridge and moves east to Six Mile Island. The competition is friendly, but intense, as thousands of spectators line the banks on both sides of the river to cheer the boats on. Families bring box lunches to the riverside, making for an afternoon of socializing and relaxation.