Light crowds and thunderous roar highlight start of 2023 Water Follies
Danielle Stinnett’s family has been coming to the annual Water Follies boat races for three generations now.
“I was born on boat race Sunday 1980 — the first year Miss Budweiser ever won the Columbia Cup,” said Stinnett, 43, who has been in regular attendance every year since she was a baby.
And on Friday, she introduced the wonder of the races to a fourth generation: Her 6-year-old son, Mason.
The two were perusing the pit area in the afternoon when they stopped to take Mason’s picture in front of a hydroplane on display.
“This is very important to our family. I actually have a collection of old collectible boat race pins from my papa because they’ve been bringing my parents since they were young and it’s lifelong for our family. We love the boat races,” she said.
Thousands of attendees and families gathered Friday along the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities, Wash., for the first day of the 2023 Water Follies Columbia Cup and STCU Over the River Air Show.
Light crowds gathered in the early afternoon in Columbia Park to watch the H1 Unlimited hydroplanes race for qualifying. People gazed from camping chairs, river inflatables, and boats as the thunderous planes made turns and sped past at high speeds.
Todd Blackman, a member on the Water Follies board, said they have new beer gardens on the water for the first time this year and have brought back a public viewing area at the starting line.
Kennewick police Commander Christian Walters said as of 3 p.m. no arrests or medical emergency calls had been made in Columbia Park.
“People seem to be enjoying themselves... We’re looking to make sure people are having a safe and fun time,” Walters told the Tri-City Herald. “We have had very minimal calls for service today and look forward to the rest of the weekend.”
Larger crowds were expected Saturday and Sunday.
The National Weather Service in Pendleton, Ore., forecasts highs for the Tri-Cities this weekend in the mid-to-low 90s.
Water Follies attendees are encouraged to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade to avoid heat cramps, exhaustion or stroke.
This story was originally published July 29, 2023 at 11:35 PM.
