Rising Sun And Rabbit Hash, Meet The MS Lucky Lady

A new ferry boat by Rising Star Casino was introduced and christened Thursday.

The MS Lucky Lady was introduced and christened Thursday at the Rising Sun Boat Ramp. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Rising Sun, Ind.) – A reestablished connection between two Ohio River towns – and a few more dollars for a riverboat casino – are the hopes for the MS Lucky Lady.

Rising Star Casino’s new, privately-owned and operated ferry boat was christened Thursday at the Rising Sun Boat Ramp. Dozens of locals, casino executives, and local leaders turned out for the big occasion complete with a ragtime band and sailor girls.

There has not been a ferry boat for vehicles between Rising Sun since 1945 when a vessel named Mildred sank. Back then school children would ride across from Rabbit Hash to attend school in Indiana.

“It will help our business, but it will also reconnect our communities,” Dan Lee, president and CEO of casino owner Full House Resorts, told the crowd.

The MS Lucky Lady is expected to begin offering rides across the river in early August, but no set date has been announced. One-way rides will cost $5 per vehicle and round-trip tickets will be $8. The boat will offer trips every 15 minutes.

Vehicles and passengers will board on a new road, Ferry Way, at the Rising Star Casino property – it is still being paved. On the Kentucky side, the landing is near the tourist favorite Rabbit Hash General Store.

Lee says it will take the ferry up to four minutes to motor across the 2,000-foot-wide river, which cuts down what is a 50-minute drive to or from Kentucky via Interstate 275 for those willing to fork over the cash.

The name of the riverboat was revealed by Lee. It was selected by the casino after suggestions were received from and voted on by the public.

Lee said there were many approvals necessary from federal, state, and local agencies and governments. The casino even had to take a protected bat species into consideration.

“The project took determination and unrelenting resolve,” Rising Sun Mayor Brent Bascom said, complimenting the work done by Lee and the casino’s team to revive the local ferry.

Bascom has a personal connection to the local ferry business. His grandfather-in-law ran The Hoosier Belle passenger ferry – for people, not vehicles – between the towns up until 1987.

Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle Country 99.3

RELATED STORIES:

Rising Star Casino's Ohio River Ferry To Be Christened Thursday

Voting Underway For Naming The Rising Sun-To-Rabbit Hash Ferry

Have A Name Idea For The Rising Sun To Rabbit Hash Ferry?

Rising Star Casino's Ferry Boat Poised To Debut This Spring

More from Local News


Events

Free Summer Meals Available to Students Across Indiana

Several Summer Food Service sites are located in southeastern Indiana.

Milan Gym Lobby Dedication Set for June 17

Players from the 1954 championship team will be there. The event is open to the public.

Local Sports Report - June 8, 2023

Area golfers competed at the IHSAA Regional on Thursday.

Rising Sun Baseball Set for Trip to Jasper for Semi-State

Community members are invited to send off the Shiners on Friday afternoon.

Batesville's Schebler to Play in North South All-Star Game

Schebler is the 9th player in Batesville history to be selected to play in the All-Star Game.

On Air

Travis Thayer playing
Collin Raye - My Kind of Girl

Band Perry You Lie 14:36
Keith Urban John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16 14:28
Eric Church Like A Wrecking Ball 14:25
Mark Chesnutt It Sure Is Monday 14:22