Labor Day on the Ohio: Boaters enjoy end of summer on Ohio River
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Many people are taking to the Ohio River to enjoy the long holiday weekend. Local experts say this caps off what’s been a busy summer boating season.
For Ollie Page, being the owner of the Inland Marina in Evansville isn’t all fun and games.
“I gotta tend to them, help them out, try to have fun with them too,” said Page. “It’s extremely hard.”
He keeps the marina open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day.
He says it’s perfect for a hobby that can be all-consuming.
“It’s extremely addictive, I go out probably 15 times a day, in and out on my boat here and there, check on things, do this do that,” said Page.
He says a lot of people have been on the water this year.
While that’s kept him busy with both new and seasoned boaters, he says he’s been happy to see everyone wearing life jackets and following safety procedures.
They say this is a time of year when people just can’t get enough of the water.
“This is the time of the year that the river is at its prettiest, when it’s lowest, so it’s fun,” said long-time boater Yonetta Sollman. “With the sandbar recently out there that brings a lot of people in you haven’t seen for a while, so it’s kind of a reunion get-together.”
For now, people are taking advantage of the river’s signature pump out.
Those out for Labor Day say it’s been busy all holiday weekend, at times busy enough there wasn’t space for additional people to land their boats.
As the seasons begin to change, some long-time boaters say fewer people will be out on the river soon, but some of them are just getting started.
“You’re near the end of the season,” said long-time boater David Horn. “Well we don’t look at it as near the end of the season. Fall is some beautiful boating.”
The seasons may be changing, but the advice remains the same. They say always remember to wear a life jacket when you’re on the river.
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