EDENTON, North Carolina — This lucky group of business people, their friends, and family were invited on a lunch cruise on the newest passenger vessel, an authentic paddlewheel boat.
“I think it's a great addition to the Inner Banks Inn. That way, we can branch out to more people—another amenity we get to offer to people, not just to guests but to those in the community,” said Taylor Gardner of the Inner Banks Inn.
“Love it! It's gorgeous, yes,” another chimed in.
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“That’s cool that you're new to town and you have a new boat here. That’s right—maybe they’ll name it after me! What’s your name? Ronnie Bates? Maybe they’ll name it the Ronnie Bates,” said a third guest.
Sorry, Ronnie, this river-roaming beauty already has a name: the Albemarle Queen.
Kristopher Bateman, chef and owner of Downtown Roots restaurant, is hopeful the boat, which will offer lunch and dinner cruises, will attract tourists to the charming North Carolina town.
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“I think it’s going to be great for business. Like today, for example, this time of year is kind of slow, so having this event today has helped me out a lot,” Bateman added.
Paddlewheel boats were a common way to travel from town to town on the Albemarle Sound in the late 1800s, but they died out at the turn of the century. Now, Edenton has the first paddlewheel boat to cruise the sound in 100 years.
“The author of Showboat actually wrote from Elizabeth City and other towns here on the Albemarle Sound,” said an attendee.
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“When it was made into a Broadway musical, she positioned it on the Mississippi River, but it was not. It was here on the Albemarle Sound,” they continued.
And for those who want to celebrate Valentine’s on the water, there is a dinner cruise being offered on the Albemarle Queen—a unique way to say “I love you" while cruising the banks of the Albemarle.
The Albemarle Queen is positively bringing interest and excitement to residents and tourists alike.
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