Stern-wheeler cruises Conneaut Lake again
CONNEAUT LAKE -- The Barbara J is back on Conneaut Lake and cruising for a cause.
The venerable stern-wheeler has new owners, a new look and a new purpose -- to raise money to maintain Conneaut Lake Borough improvements.
It has set sail from the borough's public dock for public tours each weekend since late August and will continue weekend tours through Oct. 25. Additional cruises will be offered from Conneaut Lake Park during Pumpkin Fest this weekend.
A Wisconsin woman planned to buy the boat this summer and to operate it for public tours there. But the would-be buyer at the last moment realized the boat has a flat bottom and is prohibited from carrying public tours in Wisconsin for that reason, said Carole Waldschmidt. Waldschmidt and her husband, Chad, of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee, are members of the nonprofit group now operating the Barbara J.
Ohio businessman Ron Anderson bought the boat instead in July and steers the Barbara J Cruises LLC nonprofit organization. Anderson previously bought the former High Street Church in Conneaut Lake, renovated it and presented the $550,000 investment to the community in 2014 for use as its new town hall.
The stern-wheeler, propelled by a paddle wheel at the rear of the boat, was bought for an undisclosed price. It's since had new paint, carpet, windows, stereo system and a downstairs heating system installed.
Conneaut Lake Borough plans its own improvements. A revitalization program beginning next spring will include new sidewalks, streetlights and banners downtown, and boat launches, docks and picnic shelters at Firemen's Beach. Federal and state grants will pay most of the costs.
Barbara J fares will help maintain those improvements.
"We talked to people in Slippery Rock and other places that revitalized their towns and then had no money to maintain what they'd done," Carole Waldschmidt said. "Money from the Barbara J will go into a separate account for maintenance after the town is redone."
The 56-foot Barbara J was designed by a Meadville man and built in Michigan in 1955. It went into operation on Conneaut Lake in 1972 after its purchase by Lloyd and Barbara J. Holland, its namesake, of Conneaut Lake Cruises.
The boat was bought by Silver Shores Restaurant owners Jack and Sharon Slater in 2004. The Barbara J since then had been used mostly for private parties and weekend breakfast cruises.
VALERIE MYERS can be reached at 878-1913 or by e-mail. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNmyers.
Want To Cruise? - Aboard: Barbara J. - Where: Cruises depart from 1st Street Dock in Conneaut Lake. - When: Saturday, noon and 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon, through Oct. 25. - Winter tours: Fridays, 5:30 p.m., Nov. 27 through Dec. 12. - Special Pumpkin Fest Cruises: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 2:30 and 5 p.m., from Conneaut Lake Park dock. - Fare: $10 adults, $5 for children 13 and under. - Information: www.barbarajtours.com, www.newconneautlake.com, (814) 382-7433.
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Charter the Barbara J
Private Parties
Great venue for your next special event.
Business meetings, birthday parties, club events, reunions, graduation parties, rehearsal dinners, weddings and receptions. See below for catering options .
The Barbara J can accommodate large groups.
Parties up to 67 are welcomed.
The sound system is great!
Use the Barbara J music source. Sirius or bring your own (smart phone, i-pad, live acoustic, etc.)
For information and charters call:
814-382-RIDE
Catering is available or bring your own food.
Barbara j cruises customers may choose a caterer of their choice or contact one of the designated barbara j caterers..
Please click on the links below to view selected menus and to obtain contact information:
- Ice House Pizzeria & Grille
- Lady of the Lake Catering
- Pampered Palate Catering & Events
- Vacavi Cafe
These featured caterers are presented as recommendations and have experience in catering the boat. Arrangements have been made with them for the ease of our renters in selecting menus to meet a variety of occasions; formal, casual, breakfast, lunch, brunch, hors d’ oeuvres, dinner, etc. Determination of food and beverage sources is the responsibility of the renter.
BYOB is permitted. Final menu choice and prices are to be arranged and handled between the renter and the caterer. Barbara J Cruises, LLC is in the boat cruising business, not the restaurant business.
COMMENTS
Your patronage over the back half of the Summer was extraordinary and on behalf of our all-volunteer Barbara J Cruises organization, we "Thank You" for your patience and support. "Trees of Light" public cruise tickets will go on sale, through our newconneautlake.com website, at 12:01 am October 15. For information on the 2025 summer ...
The Barbara J is an iconic real sternwheeler built in Michigan in 1955 and cruising on Conneaut Lake since 1972. She has a covered lower deck and open-air upper deck. She is 62 ft. long and weighs in at 45,000 Lbs. Seating placement provides excellent viewing during the 1.5 hour cruise around the shoreline of Conneaut Lake.
The 2023 Barbara J "Trees of Light" winter cruises ended December 10th. 10 public and 20 private, 1.5-hour cruises, carried more than 1,200 passengers over a 17-day period along the lakeshore to view over 185 beautiful trees. We will announce our plans for 2024 "Trees" cruises in the fall of 2024.
Recently rode the Barbara J cruise boat on Conneaut Lake. What a relaxing ride it was. The cruise is about an hour and a half. We completely circled the lake. As we past points of interest bits of history and interesting facts were announced over the speakers. We were on the top deck which was great. Nice view and a nice breeze.
Recently rode the Barbara J cruise boat on Conneaut Lake. What a relaxing ride it was. The cruise is about an hour and a half. We completely circled the lake. As we past points of interest bits of history and interesting facts were announced over the speakers. We were on the top deck which was great. Nice view and a nice breeze.
Event Details. Take a ride on the Barbara J and take in the beautiful "Trees of Light" surrounding Conneaut Lake. Public cruises by reservation only through Eventbrite. Private charter cruises for fall and "Trees of Light" can be scheduled for any day, now through December 15th by calling 814-382-RIDE.
Recently rode the Barbara J cruise boat on Conneaut Lake. What a relaxing ride it was. The cruise is about an hour and a half. We completely circled the lake. As we past points of interest bits of history and interesting facts were announced over the speakers. We were on the top deck which was great. Nice view and a nice breeze.
Jul 22, 2023. CONNEAUT LAKE — Bill Eldridge, chairman of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee, says the group continues to support the operation of the Barbara J Paddlewheel Cruise ...
CONNEAUT LAKE -- The Barbara J is back on Conneaut Lake and cruising for a cause. The venerable stern-wheeler has new owners, a new look and a new purpose -- to raise money to maintain Conneaut Lak…
Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. 16709 Conneaut Lake Rd. Meadville PA 16335. Phone: 814-333-1258. Email: [email protected] #theresastoryhere Facebook
Barbara J is back. By Jean Shanley Special to The Tribune. Aug 3, 2024. The Barbara J paddle boat is now ready for passenger rides after being out of commission for upgrades. SHANNON ROAE ...
Barbara J Cruises. The Barbara J is an iconic real sternwheeler built in Michigan in 1955 and cruising on Conneaut Lake since 1972. Winter Ice House Festival. The Winter Ice House Festival celebrates our community and ice harvesting industry at Conneaut Lake. About Conneaut Lake.
You can go. Barbara J public tours leave the dock at Ice House Park at noon and 5 p.m. each Saturday and noon on Sunday. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children, payable when boarding. The boat ...
ARMSTRONG Local Programming, Meadville: Chad Waldschmidt from Conneaut Lake Community Development talks about the upcoming Barbara J Cruise season
The Barbara J, Conneaut Lake: See 3 reviews, articles, and photos of The Barbara J, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 8 attractions in Conneaut Lake. ... What a relaxing ride it was. The cruise is about an hour and a half. We completely circled the lake. As we past points of interest bits of history and interesting facts were announced over the ...
Answer 11 of 41: Has anyone used Go Russia to book a holiday. I am thinking of doing a river cruise between Moscow and St Petersburg. Would this be a good way of seeing both places and what is the best time to go. Tthere is over £1000.00 difference between the...
Take a scenic and informative ride on the Barbara J. Fireman's beach is a great public beach with a lovely picnic area and a newer playground for young children. You can walk the path and enjoy the Raingardens. There are 2 public boat launches, one at Fireman's beach and another off of route 618.
Barbara J Cruises LLC is a nonprofit corporation. It was formed with the objective of preserving and operating the historic Barbara J on Conneaut Lake for the long-term pleasure of the community.
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Catering is available or bring your own food. Barbara J Cruises customers may choose a caterer of their choice or contact one of the designated Barbara J caterers. Please click on the links below to view selected menus and to obtain contact information: Ice House Pizzeria & Grille. Lady of the Lake Catering. Pampered Palate Catering & Events.