The Mississippi Queen, one of three riverboats of the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. in New Orleans, will dock along the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau this month.

The Mississippi Queen, a twin-stacked vessel 382 feet long, has been a visitor to Cape Girardeau in past years, including five stops in 1997.

The Queen's first visit will be April 28 from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Queens will make nine stops at the Cape Girardeau riverfront in 1998.

The arrival of one of the Queens at Cape Girardeau always attracts people, who turn out in large numbers to watch the paddlewheelers crunch to a stop and drop the drawbridge.

A year ago, the Queens made 17 stops in Cape Girardeau. A Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated that with crew and passengers, the trips accounted for more than 12,000 visitors to the city.

With nine stops for 1998, the visitor list could total over 6,000. Visitors roam the streets and shops of downtown Cape Girardeau, but buses are provided for trips to other areas of the city.

Also on the 1998 docking schedule are four appearances by a new riverboat company: River Barge Excursion Lines of New Orleans.

The River Barge will make its first stop here Sept. 17.

The River Barge consists of two river barges. One of the barges has been converted into passenger accommodations. The other has been converted into an entertainment center, which will provide entertainment and games.

The Mississippi Queen will be here five times, including July 3, during the annual New Orleans to St. Louis Steamboat Race between the Mississippi and Delta Queen.

The Delta Queen will also stop here four times. The American Queen, largest and newest vessel in the company's lineup, will make only one stop here this year: on Sept. 3.

1998 RIVERBOAT VISITS

-- April 28: Mississippi Queen, 8 a.m. to noon.

-- July 3: Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen, en route up river in the annual New Orleans to St. Louis Steamboat Race.

-- July 9: Delta Queen.

-- Aug. 2: Mississippi Queen.

-- Aug. 13: River Barge.

-- Aug. 17: Delta Queen.

-- Aug. 28: River Barge.

-- Sept. 3: Mississippi Queen.

-- Sept. 17: River Barge.

-- Sept. 19: Mississippi Queen, 12:30 p.m., and American Queen, 5 p.m.

-- Nov. 3: Delta Queen

-- Nov. 5: River Barge.

-- Dec. 24: Mississippi Queen.