Boat races to take over Columbia River

The boats are back in town.

Or at least they will be soon.

The Tri-City Water Follies Association will present the 2016 HAPO Columbia Cup & Air Show on July 29-31.

It’s the area’s biggest annual event, drawing about 70,000 people to the Columbia River for hydroplane races, an airshow and shoreline activities.

Gates open at 8 a.m. July 29-30 and at 7 a.m. July 31. Viewing areas are set up on the Benton and Franklin county sides of the river — at Columbia Park in Kennewick and along the Pasco shoreline.

Admission is free July 29; tickets are required July 30-31.

Getting into the park

Entrance gates are at the east and west ends of Columbia Park, and the Pasco viewing side is accessible off West Sylvester Street between roads 36 and 54.

Vehicles and coolers will be subject to search. Prohibited items include weapons, squirt bottles, squirt guns, glass, skateboards, golf carts and other unauthorized motor vehicles.

Attendees aren’t allowed to bring in alcoholic drinks, although beer gardens will be set up on both sides of the river.

People should leave their pets at home.

Forecast

It looks like temperatures could be in the 100s throughout the weekend.

Air show

The 2016 HAPO Over the River Air Show will include the Patriots Jet Team, Lucas Oil Aerobatics, Lucas Oil Skydivers, Yellow Thunder, Power Addiction Airshows with Brad Wursten, and a Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration.

Performances are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 29-31.

Shoreline activities

Kids Zone activities will be set up on the Kennewick and Pasco viewing sides — in Kennewick, just north of the Playground of Dreams, and in Pasco, just east of the Bulldog Beach Club. The zones will be open during event hours and will include activities such as face painting, arts and crafts and bounce houses.

U.S. military branches will have interactive displays and other activities at the Regional Veterans Memorial on the Kennewick side. The Air Force’s 2016 X1 Supercar will be on hand.

Red Dot Paintball will have a laser tag course set up, and Inland Helicopters will offer rides, both on the Kennewick side.

Autograph sessions are planned July 30 on the Kennewick side — with boat drivers at noon and air show pilots at 2 p.m.

Special needs area

There will be a special needs viewing area on the Kennewick side, including shade and cooling misters, chairs, tables and water. Ben Franklin Transit will provide Dial-A-Ride service to pre-qualified patrons.

Tickets

Admission to the races is free July 29, and children age 5 and younger are admitted for free all weekend.

A two-day pass is $25 for adults and $10 for kids ages 6 to 12.

One-day passes for July 30 are $15 for adults and $5 for kids, and one-day passes for July 31 are $25 for adults and $5 for kids.

Daily pit passes are $10.

Three-day event passes with pit admission are $45.

Tickets are available at Tri-City Albertsons and Safeway stores, at the Tri-City Water Follies office, 621 N. Gum St., Suite A, in Kennewick, and at the gate.

Free kids tickets are available at Jack in the Box restaurants.

Parking

General admission parking on the Kennewick side is $5 per car July 29-30 and $10 per car July 31.

On the Pasco side, parking is free on July 29, $5 per car on July 30 and $10 per car on July 31.

Ride the bus

Ben Franklin Transit will provide bus service to and from Columbia Park on July 30-31. Cost is $1.50 round trip, or $4 per family of up to five people.

Seniors and the disabled may ride for 75 cents with a transit ID card. Children ages 5 and younger ride for free.

Buses leave the Three Rivers and 22nd Street transit centers about 7, 8, 10 and 11 a.m.; the Knight Street transit center about 7:15, 8:15, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m.; and the Ed Frost Huntington transit center at 7:30, 8:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Return service is 15 minutes after the final race.

Pick up and drop off at several hotels throughout the Tri-Cities also is available.

For more information, go to bft.org or call 509-735-5100.

People are allowed to bring coolers and lawn chairs on the bus.

There is no bus service to the Pasco viewing side.

Art show

The annual Art in the Park arts and crafts festival is July 29-30 at Howard Amon Park in Richland. Admission is free.

More than 200 artists will be on hand. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 29 and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 30.

A shuttle will run from Fran Rish Stadium. Cost is $1.50 per person each way or $4 for a family of up to five people. Seniors and the disabled may ride for 75 cents with a transit ID card.

More information

For the full schedule of Water Follies events, go to waterfollies.com.

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Boat races to take over Columbia River."