The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is helping sponsor the 2024 Tri-City Water Follies being held July 26-28 in Kennewick and Pasco, Washington.
The Water Follies is a weekend full of hydroplane boat racing in pursuit of the Apollo Columbia Cup. It also features the STCU Over-the-River Air Show and other exhibitions. It’s a stop for the H1 Unlimited hydroplane race schedule, showcasing multiple classes of boats on a fast course.
The CTUIR is putting up $17,500 as this year’s purse money for the Apollo Columbia Cup, which will be determined Sunday evening. First place will receive $10,000. Second place will earn $5,000, and third place will get $2,500.
“We are excited to co-sponsor this year’s Tri-City Water Follies as the Tri-Cities area is part of the CTUIR’s traditional use and aboriginal title lands,” CTUIR Chairman Gary I. Burke said. “It’s an honor to be a part of such a fun event and to be able to provide the purse money for the Apollo Columbia Cup.”
According to the Water Follies website, the 2024 Columbia Cup will mark the 58th time Unlimited hydroplanes have raced on the Columbia River. Like the inaugural event in 1966, the Columbia Cup will most likely have 12 Unlimited hydroplanes in attendance.
Along with co-sponsoring the event, the CTUIR will also have a hospitality tent at Gate H2 and has invited area firefighters and Yakama Nation dignitaries as its guests.
“We invite the public to come out and visit, grab some goodies, learn about the CTUIR and its history tied to the area and just have fun watching the races and air show,” Burke said.
Showcasing various activities, the Water Follies annually draw crowds of approximately 50,000 to Kennewick’s Columbia Park and 15,000 to the Pasco shore during its three days. The Tri-Cities area is a metropolitan area consisting of Benton and Franklin counties in Washington state, anchored by the cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland.
