Santa greets passengers of the Sistersville Ferry attending the Christmas cruise.

Ohio Valley residents took advantage of the recent free Sistersville Ferry Christmas Cruise which sailed on Saturday, December 7th. With temperatures hovering in the 20s, brisk winds required guests to bundle up while making holiday memories cruising the Ohio River.

The cruises, which originated from both the Fly, Ohio landing as well as the West Virginia landing, included a one-hour ride aboard the festively decorated ferry down the river with Santa. There was also a Christmas tree to decorate, hot chocolate and cookies, Christmas caroling and giveaways for young and old alike.

The Sistersville Ferry Board’s goal is to provide entertainment, as well as transportation, for communities around the Ohio River Valley while raising awareness of the historic value of this unique vessel, one of only three ferries still operating on the entire Ohio River.

“This will be our third year of providing what we believe is a unique experience for many of the young people in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The number of families joining us has continued to grow, and board member Helen Buccella-Costa always makes it an entertaining and memorable holiday event,” said Ferry Board President Gary Bowden.

Board members were very pleased with the public’s turnout. Hopefully this is an event that can be offered each holiday season for the community and surrounding areas to enjoy.