T
he 2025 Charleston Sternwheel Regatta had a $40.1 million economic impact on the region, city officials announced on Thursday.
Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin and others associated with the annual festival made the announcement during a press conference on September 18, where they touted the impact of the event on both the city and the surrounding areas.
The economic impact was calculated by the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau using the Destinations International Event Economic Impact Calculator, officials said.
"The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta is so much more than a festival—it's a tradition that brings together our community, boosts our economy, and shines a spotlight on our Capital City,” Goodwin said.
According to data provided by the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, an estimated 225,000 attendees came to Charleston for the multi-day event in July. Of those, more than 26 percent traveled more than 50 miles to attend, with 78 percent coming from out of state, according to officials.
CVB data also showed:
- Out-of-state visitation grew by 20 percent from 2024 to 2025;
- 40 percent of visitors were from households with children;
- 32 percent of all visitor spending occurred at locally owned businesses; and
- More than 9,000 jobs were positively impacted by event.
Most out of town visitors came from other West Virginia communities, including Beckley, Bluefield, Huntington and Parkersburg, according to CVB data. The largest portion of out-of-state visitors came from Pittsburgh, Pa., and Charleston, S.C., respectively.
Twenty sternwheel boats attended the 2025 Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, with the furthest traveling 250 river miles from north of Wheeling.
Since returning to the riverfront in 2022, the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta has offered a wide array of events — from concerts and a drone show to races and parades — attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and delivering measurable economic benefit to the city.
"What makes the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta so special is the people behind it — our sponsors, city teams, partners, and volunteers who give their time, talent, and support," Andy Richardson, Regatta Commission President, said in a press release. "This isn’t just a festival; it’s a reflection of Charleston’s spirit and character.”
Also on Thursday, officials announced the 2026 Regatta would take place July 2-5, coinciding with America’s 250th birthday celebrations.
“As we celebrate the successes of 2025, we’re already looking forward to [next year],“ Goodwin said.
Bryan Hughes, incoming President of the American Sternwheel Association, said 2026 will mark milestones for some of the participating sternwheelers.
“We are thrilled to show off our boats. Many are custom-built, and several are antiques," Hughes said. “Next year, we’ll celebrate two of our most storied boats turning 100 years old.”
Hughes said the Valley Gem sternwheeler will make its first-ever trip up the Kanawha River in 2026.
“People waiting in line for rides asked countless questions about our other boats, showing a renewed interest that will help fuel the next generation to keep these boats alive," Hughes said. “We’re the current caretakers — but it’s future generations who must carry this forward, and Charleston is helping make that possible.”
