Sponsors, volunteers come out for Follies

KENNEWICK -- The economic chill that's been running up the spines of consumers and business owners in recent months seems to have melted away with the Tri-Cities' July heat, at least when it comes to the area's signature summer event: hydroplane racing.

"We started out very slow in January," said Kathy Powell, event director for Tri-City Water Follies. "As we've gotten closer to the event, things have really picked up."

While some of the event's traditional sponsors had gone out of business and others no longer had marketing budgets to participate in Water Follies, many new sponsors also came on board, Powell said.

And instead of asking for amenities such as ticket packages, sponsors this year want exhibition space.

"Sponsors and businesses are using our event to introduce themselves into the community," Powell said.

Water Follies festivities, which include air shows and other activities along with the hydro races, kick off Friday with qualifying races, a helicopter rescue demonstration and more.

Follies fans also seem to be getting excited for the races, as private tents and RV spaces sold out, which hasn't happened in a couple of years, Powell said.

"I'm not sure if it's because the Tri-Cities is kind of an oasis, or if things are just better," Powell said. "But it just took off."

Follies President Mike Denslow said once the Fourth of July passes, people realize it's time to buy tickets.

"In the last three weeks it's gotten really busy," he said.

The budget for this year's event is about $925,000, Denslow said.

More than 55,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event, Powell said.

That's about the same number as last year, but she's hoping more people will come this year.

"People are just trying to look for things to do that may be of good value," she said. "It's a couple days and you can pack your family up ... and have a great time at the river."

All those visitors will contribute upwards of $3 million in spending to the local economy through purchases of gas, food, hotel rooms and more, says the organization.

Water Follies often serves as people's first introduction to the Tri-Cities, said Kim Shugart, vice president of operations for the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau.

"It's an icon for our community," she said.

And it brings a large amount of national exposure to the community, added Kris Watkins, the bureau's president and CEO.

Though the event was slow to draw interest earlier this year, Powell said a number of local businesses have expressed interest in associating their name with Water Follies, particularly because of the well-known reputation of the Columbia Cup title sponsor, ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston.

"I think the Tri-Cities is having a renewed love affair with the boat races," she said.

At the Clover Island Inn in Kennewick, July has been a slow month for leisure travelers, said general manager Mark Blotz.

But his rooms are full for Follies weekend.

A group from Seattle will call the hotel home for the weekend, as they have for years, Blotz said.

And the Oh Boy! Oberto team also will stay there.

For a new twist on the traditionally busy weekend, Blotz has scheduled a band to play poolside Saturday night to accompany a barbecue.

His favorite part of the event each year?

"People coming for fun," he said. "It's a vacation these folks are looking for."

And it seems the annual vacation is one they'll be able to continue counting on, as Powell said she expects a "long, healthy relationship" with Lamb Weston.

"I think it's a good partnership," she said.

This year the company is looking to spread awareness about recycling and will provide bins and volunteers during the event.

"We have a lot of Seattle people who come into the area and they have that culture," Powell said. "So we're trying to change the (recycling) culture (here)."

Bins will be available for the public, as well as for corporate tents, she said.

Some recycling containers have been available the past two years, but "they're really trying to get them out as much as possible" this year, Powell added.

As Lamb Weston volunteers make sure Follies attendees put their bottles and cans in the right receptacle, an army of other volunteers -- about 1,500 of them -- will be providing security, parking cars, selling programs, setting up tents and more.

"If we had to purchase all of the services that we relied on volunteers to do, it would be so astronomically expensive it just wouldn't be an option," Powell said.

"It's insane how this community puts their heart and soul into this event."

-- Ingrid Stegemoeller: 509-582-1537; istegemoeller@tricityherald.com