Four years after it last cruised along the Mississippi River, an old friend of Natchez is set to stop by for a brief visit Monday morning.

If everything goes as planned the last great steam-powered riverboat, the American Queen, will pull alongside Natchez Under-the-Hill and dock once again.

Natchez has missed the steamboats.

Tourism-related businesses are quick to point out that the tourism economy hasn’t been the same since Hurricane Katrina dramatically changed the market and eventually caused the American Queen’s former owners to close down their river cruise business.

Sure, Natchez has missed the economic impact of the lost riverboat traffic, but Monday morning’s return of the steamboat is about much more, too.

We’ve missed the passengers.

We’ve missed the crew.

We missed the boat’s steam whistle.

And we’ve missed the unique melodies of her steam calliope.

But most of all Natchez missed the presence of the American Queen and the reminder she gives us of the glorious history of riverboat travel and commerce in Natchez.

Tourism leaders are asking local residents to gather along the bluff and at the dock at the foot of Silver Street to show a warm welcome when the American Queen is expected to arrive — sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday. The same group wants Natchez to wave goodbye from the bluffs when the boat gets under way at 5 p.m.

We encourage everyone who is able to participate in the event and celebrate the return of a good friend to Natchez.