Painting at the Centennial Festival of Riverboats, Louisville, Kentucky By Helen Merrick10 years ago View All Looking forward to painting at the Riverfront today for the Centennial Festival of Riverboats! Share Helen Merrick 10 years ago Our Belle of Louisville is celebrating her 100th birthday! There are several steamboats that have arrived in Louisville to celebrate. I am with a group of Plein Air Painters who are painting on the riverfront for five days. One of whom is John Michael Carter, who just completed a portrait of Federal Judge John Heyburn. It is so vibrant down by the wharf. Calliope music, steamboats with their big red paddle wheels, working boats, tugs, coast guard and lots of people lined up to take the cruises. Share