Here’s your megaguide to the 2024 Tri-City Water Follies. Schedule, prices, parking, more

In its 59th year, the 2024 Water Follies will take over the Columbia River in Kennewick July 26-28.

The Water Follies is a weekend full of hydroplane racing, in pursuit of the Apollo Columbia Cup, as well as 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 one of the fastest courses they’ll see.

Here’s your ultimate guide to attending this year, with everything you need from tickets and parking information to the weekend’s full schedule.

Tickets to the 2024 Water Follies

General admission does not come with parking, which must be purchased separately. Children under age 6 are free.

• Three-day general admission and pit pass: $60
• Two-day weekender for ages 13 and up: $50
• Saturday ages 13 and up: $25
• Child pass Saturday or Sunday: $10
• Sunday ages 13 and up: $30

Three of the special area options are still available.

▪ Starting Line - $500 for first two, additional for $250

• Two tickets to the club viewing area on the Columbia Park shore on Saturday and Sunday
• Two pit passes
• One nearby parking pass
• Donuts and juice in the mornings
• Water and soda daily
• Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
• Two drink tickets per day, per person
• Two souvenir buttons and programs
• Two commemorative beer steins

▪ Bulldog Beach Club - $400 for the first four, limit of two additional tickets available for $100 each. Additional tickets do not come with parking.

• Four tickets to the club viewing area on the Pasco river shore on Saturday and Sunday
• One nearby parking pass
• Lunch on Sunday
• Official race program

▪ Hydro Hot Spot - $150 for ages 13 and up, $50 for ages 6 to 12 (no souvenir items). The purchase of four tickets comes with one nearby parking spot, otherwise it can be purchased for $30.

• One ticket to the viewing area on the Columbia Park shore for Saturday and Sunday
• One pit pass
• Access to a private, cash-only beer garden
  
  
• Water and soda
• Lunch on Sunday
• One souvenir booster button and program

Water Follies parking options

▪ Columbia Park

Main entrances are located at Highway 240 and Fruitland Street. Entrances are secured at 10 p.m.

• Friday: Park opens at 8 a.m. and closes after the last heat, around 5 p.m. - $10
• Saturday: Park opens at 8 a.m. and closes after the last heat, around 5 p.m. - $10
• Sunday: Park opens at 7 a.m. and the final race will end around 4:30 p.m. - $10

▪ Pasco

Limited general parking is available, marked by official Water Follies signs off of Sylvester Street. These spots will be free on Friday, and $10 Saturday and Sunday.

Unaffiliated parking is also available on private property, with rates at each individual owner’s discretion.

In both locations, there are no in and out privileges. If you leave, you will be charged for parking again when you come back.

Water Follies RV ticket packages

There are two options for RV stays with remaining spaces: main and east.

▪ Main

Remaining lots are available for $600 plus fees, including a reserved 25’ by 38’ space for an RV and additional vehicle, plus four three-day tickets with pit passes.

Add-ons:

• Additional Thursday-only parking - $100
• Additional vehicle parking - $125
• Additional three-day ticket with pit pass - $60
• Weekender ticket - $50
• Kids ticket (Ages 12 and under) - $10

▪ East

Remaining lots are available for $500 plus fees, including a reserved 25’ by 40’ space for an RV and additional vehicle, plus four three-day tickets with pit passes.

Add-ons:

• Additional Thursday-only parking - $100
• Additional vehicle parking - $125
• Additional three-day ticket with pit pass - $60
• Weekender ticket - $50
• Kids ticket (Ages 12 and under) - $10

Water Follies transportation options

Ben Franklin Transit allows coolers, camp chairs and other small items on board for boat race shuttles on Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m. with the last bus returning 20 minutes after the last heat. Shuttles will stop every hour on the hour, with the following park and ride locations:

• Lampson Stadium
• Knight Street Transit Center
• The HAPO Center

Dial-A-Ride services are available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Park and road closures

Bike trails along the river in Kennewick and Pasco will be closed leading up to and during the races. These apply to bicyclists and pedestrians. Closures include:

• Columbia Park from the blue bridge to Edison Street: 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, through 7 p.m. Sunday, July 28.
• Wade Park Road from the blue bridge to Road 60: All day Saturday and Sunday

Additionally, the Columbia River will be closed to boat traffic from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. all three race days.

Water Follies 2024 schedule

▪ Friday

• 8-10:30 a.m. - Testing
• 10:45 a.m. - Parr Lumber E-350 Hydroplane Heat 1
• 11 a.m. - STCU Over-the-River Air Show
• 1:30 p.m. - H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Qualifying
• 3:30 p.m. - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 112 and the National Electrical Contractors Association, 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat 1
• 3:45 p.m. - Confederated Tribes of the Colville Vintage Driving School
• 4:15 p.m. - Parr Lumber E-350 Hydroplane Heat 2
• 4:30 p.m. - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 112 and the National Electrical Contractors Association, 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat 2
• 4:45 p.m. - UA Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598 and Signatory Contractors, Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 1
• 5:05 p.m. - Confederated Tribes of the Colville Vintage Hydroplane Dash

▪ Saturday

• 8-10 a.m. - Testing
• 10:30 a.m. - UA Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598 and Signatory Contractors, Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 2
• 11 a.m. - STCU Over-the-River Air Show
• 12 p.m. - Atomic Screen Printing All Driver Autograph Session
• 1:15 p.m. - Confederated Tribes of the Colville Vintage Driving School
• 1:45 p.m. - Parr Lumber E-350 Hydroplane Heat 3
• 2 p.m. - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 112 and the National Electrical Contractors Association, 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat 3
• 2:15 p.m. - UA Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598 and Signatory Contractors, Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 3
• 2:30 p.m. - Confederated Tribes of the Colville Vintage Heat 1
• 3 p.m. - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 112 and the National Electrical Contractors Association, 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat 4
• 3:45 p.m. - Parr Lumber E-350 Hydroplane Heat 4
• 4 p.m. - Confederated Tribes of the Colville Vintage Heat 2
• 4:15 p.m. - Parr Lumber H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1A
• 4:45 p.m. - Parr Lumber H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1B

▪ Sunday

• 7 a.m. - Church service
• 7:30-8:30 a.m. - Testing
• 8:45 a.m. - UA Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598 and Signatory Contractors, Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 4
• 9:15 a.m. - Opening Ceremonies
• 10 a.m. - CO-Energy H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2A
• 10:30 a.m. - CO-Energy H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2B
• 11 a.m. - STCU Over-the-River Air Show
• 1:30 p.m. - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 112 and the National Electrical Contractors Association, 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat 5
• 1:45 p.m. - Parr Lumber E-350 Hydroplane Heat 5
• 2 p.m. - Confederated Tribes of the Colville Vintage Final
• 2:30 p.m. - The Truss Company H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3A
• 3 p.m. - The Truss Company H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3B
• 3:30 p.m. - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 112 and the National Electrical Contractors Association, 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat Final
• 3:45 p.m. - Parr Lumber E-350 Hydroplane Final
• 4 p.m. - UA Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598 and Signatory Contractors, Grand Prix America Thunder Cup
• 4:30 p.m. - Tri-City Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup

Water Follies accepted items list

The recommended items list includes:

• Cooler with lots of water and snacks
• Lawn chair
• Blanket
• Umbrella
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuit
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Towel

Here is what you cannot bring to the Water Follies:

• Weapons of any kind
• Droned/unmanned aerial vehicles
• Squirt bottles
• Squirt guns
• Glass items
• Skateboards
• Unauthorized motor vehicles (golf carts, scooters, etc.)
• Alcohol (unless allowed by special area)
• Pets

This story was originally published July 23, 2024 at 5:00 AM.