With cannons firing we welcomed them.  With banners and hankies waving we welcomed them.  With the world's largest balloon arch we welcomed them.  With 150,000 people braving steady rainfall we welcomed them.

The St. Paul Travelers Official Saint Paul Grand Flotilla Welcome was the event of a lifetime.  Die hard river buffs secured their front row seats around 11:00 am in preparation for the flotilla's 3:00 pm arrival.  Attendees snatched up commemorative steamboat whistles and welcome hankies.  They stood in line for corndogs and Maui Wowi fruit smoothies as they waited for the flotilla to arrive.

On the main stage, John Hines from K102 and Chris Oshikata from the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation explored the origins of the original Grand Excursion and applauded the efforts of the hundreds of organizations that participated in this year's event.  Songs of Hope, an international troupe of 50 children, performed traditional folk songs and new compositions in honor of the River and world peace.

Gordy Mergens, from the Saint Paul Yacht Club, shared comments on the unique boats from the club while Philip Brunelle led internationally renowned VocalEssence in a set of familiar river folk songs.

At 3:00 pm, under a slight rainfall, the Saint Paul Fire Boat's arrival signified the start of the official welcome ceremony.  As the Jonathan Padelford approached the Lafayette Bridge shortly there after, they were welcomed from the main stage by Senator Norm Coleman, Governor Tim Pawlenty, Mayor Randy Kelly and Patrick Seeb of the Riverfront Corporation with the firing of cannons. 

As the rainfall intensified so did the flotilla.  Following the Jonathan Padelford,  was the Harriet Bishop and the Northrups, Betsey and Anson.  Passengers waved with glee to the people on shore who were fifteen deep from the river's edge.  As the Julia Belle Swain and Spirit of Peoria arrived each to cannon fire, people from both sides of the river cheered, waved and welcomed the arriving boats.  The Avalon and Lilly Belle followed as the crowds geared up for the three largest boats that would moor at Lambert's Landing.  The Delta Queen and her four decks of waving passengers came into Saint Paul and turned around facing down river as it moored.   The Celebration Belle followed as a precursor to the largest boat in the flotilla-The Mississippi Queen.  She arrived with all the pomp and circumstance of a rock star.  Her five decks were lined with passengers waving to the crowds on shore.  Not even a steady rain could disrupt her arrival as the final boat in the largest flotilla ever assembled on the River.