The community purchased the 100-year-old carousel more than a decade ago, and thanks to private fundraising efforts, it has been completely restored. The carousel features 45 wooden horses, hand-carved by Charles Carmel, and three chariots. A cougar and husky have also been added, paying homage to the rival state mascots. It will be one of 14 carousels in the country to feature the "brass ring."  When the brass rings are dispensed, those riders who are able to grab a brass ring will be rewarded with a free ride.

The carousel rests on a 50-foot platter surrounded by brightly painted rounding boards and is housed in a glass and wooden structure allowing for year-round operation. The building has a gift shop, concession area featuring an era-replica soda fountain, event rental space, catering kitchen and back deck. The facility is scheduled to open in August at the Southridge Sports and Events Complex in Kennewick. Learn more at www.carouselofdreams.net.

But you will need to go to the Tri-Cities to cross it.

Next week we give the Tri-Cities _ Richland, Kennewick, Pasco _ some loving, while we ogle their three Columbia River bridges. We will also be there to check out the new Columbia River interpretive center/museum, called the Reach, which celebrates its grand opening July 1-6.

More than a decade in the works, the Reach will be the signature feature for the Tri-Cities, its tourism anchor, for decades to come.

Yes, the Tri-Cities have not always been thought of as the jewel of the Northwest: a hard-scrabble desert, no mountains on any horizon and the aura of Hanford, which contributed to the making of the first atom bombs, always looming over the shoulder.

But Tri-Cities has changed over the years, with its well-educated and highly paid work force. Ongoing federal cleanup at Hanford helped the area barely notice the bottom fall out when the Great Recession hit in 2008.

The metro area has grown to a population of 253,000. Think about it! All of Oregon east of U.S. 97 barely has that many people.

Tri-Cities has culture, sports, fine dining and the other things that come with a population of a quarter million.

And it also is on the cusp of becoming the undisputed capital of the Northwest wine industry, when Washington State University completes and opens a $23 million Wine Science Center in Richland next year. Walla Walla and Woodinville will always have more tasting rooms, but Richland will have the main wine research and teaching campus north of Davis, Calif., and west of Ithaca, N.Y.

So, Tri-Cities, help Portland get to know you better, beyond the great hockey rivalry between the Portland Winterhawks and Tri-City Americans. Tell us what you like best about your cities by using the form below.

I will be in the Tri-Cities area from Monday to Sunday, June 23-29, with jaunts out toward Prosser and Walla Walla thrown in. So remember, visittri-cities.com.

(Click here to submit your "bests" of the Tri-Cities!)

-- Terry Richard

Tickets can be purchased at the Tri-City Water Follies office at 621 N. Gum, Ste. A in Kennewick, by calling (509) 783-4675 or at all area Albertsons stores.

For information on times and locations of all Water Follies events, visit http://www.waterfollies.com/

The Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau (TCVCB) is pleased to announce The REACH Interpretive Center, located at the west end of Columbia Park in Tri-Cities, will open its doors Tuesday, July 1.  The REACH, as the center is commonly referred to, is named to reflect the heritage of the nearby Hanford Reach National Monument. The highly-anticipated opening of the 24,000-squre-foot facility will feature inspirational exhibits and galleries attracting visitors from throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Interactive, rotating exhibits, community outreach programming, special events and live performances will further enrich the visitor experience.  "Adding this interpretive center to the Tri-Cities tourism portfolio gives leisure travelers, convention delegates and sports tournament participants one more reason to extend their stay in the Tri-Cities," stated Kris Watkins, President and CEO of the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau.  The TCVCB is working in close partnership with The REACH to increase awareness about the center and its many programs.

The Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau (TCVCB) is pleased to welcome three legendary regional riverboats to the Tri-Cities area this spring. The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, the Queen of the West and the recently resurrected American Empress will offer local residents and visitors a unique way to experience the Columbia River.

Residents throughout southeastern Washington can enjoy the local scenery from a different perspective with an authentic experience on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. The riverboat will be hosting brunch, lunch and dinner cruises along the Tri-Cities shoreline.

Both the Queen of the West and the American Empress will bring visitors from throughout the Pacific Northwest to the Tri-Cities community for one day during each vessel's week-long cruises, which are held regularly April through November.  Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy local points of interest such as Sacajawea State Park, the Country Mercantile, Hanford Reach National Monument, the historic B Reactor and Washington Wine Country.  

The Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau (TCVCB) is pleased to welcome three legendary regional riverboats to the Tri-Cities area this spring. The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, the Queen of the West and the recently resurrected American Empress will offer local residents and visitors a unique way to experience the Columbia River.

Residents throughout southeastern Washington can enjoy the local scenery from a different perspective with an authentic experience on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. The riverboat will be hosting brunch, lunch and dinner cruises along the Tri-Cities shoreline.

Both the Queen of the West and the American Empress will bring visitors from throughout the Pacific Northwest to the Tri-Cities community for one day during each vessel's week-long cruises, which are held regularly April through November.  Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy local points of interest such as Sacajawea State Park, the Country Mercantile, Hanford Reach National Monument, the historic B Reactor and Washington Wine Country.  

Launched in 1989, Lady Washington is a replica of one of the first U.S. flagged vessels to visit the west coast of North America. The Hawaiian Chieftain is an interpretation of a early 19th century coastal leader.

The stop in Pasco is part of a seven week tour of Columbia River ports.

Make plans now to enjoy a dockside tour, an adventure sail, evening sail, an all day passage, or a battle reenactment. The tall ships are scheduled to dock in Pasco from June 8-17.

Public tours and excursions will be available.

More information: Click Here

Fifty young athletes will compete in the state finals of the Junior High Division of the National High School Rodeo Association this weekend in Kennewick.

Sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade boys and girls will participate in a variety of events including barrel racing, goat tying, breakaway roping, chute dogging, team roping, pole bending, ribbon roping, tie-down roping and bull riding.

The students, ages 11-14, have competed across the state all season, earning points.  The state champions will be decided this weekend, with the top four in each event eligible for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Gallup, New Mexico.

The rodeo starts at noon on Saturday, May 18, and 10 a.m. Sunday, May 19 at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Kennewick.

Ten contestants from Columbia Burbank Middle School, Desert Hills Middle School, Park Middle School, Benton City Middle School, and Pasco schools will participate in the action.  Some local competitores have already qualified for the national finals in the target shooting event, which held its finals earlier in the month.  

Admission is free and a concession stand will be open. 

 SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013, 6:00PM - 9:00PM

Join us for one of our most popular events back for the 5th year - Revelry on Red Mountain! Red Mountain is a remarkable place, for both scenery and wine. Spend an evening rubbing elbows with growers and winemakers from the region while sitting atop this gold podium at Col Solare Winery. 24 Washington winemakers are bringing their newest releases for a spirited evening of acclaimed wines. A spectacular sunset, panoramic views of the valley below, savory delights from a noted Chef, and the warmth of eastern WA....ahhh, now that's a perfect landing.

NEW IN 2013

SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2013, 10:00AM - 3:00PM

Want more of Red Mountain? Then join us for the inaugural Vineyard Walking Tour hosted by growers on Red Mountain. You will get an up close and personal look at the terroir, technique and vines with our family at Kiona and Jim Holmes of Ciel du Cheval before gathering together for a farm-to-table lunch with Charlie Hoppes at Fidelitas. Afterwards, enjoy a comparison tasting hosted by one of Red Mountain's oldest wineries.

EVENT & TICKET INFO:  http://www.auctionofwashingtonwines.org/events/revelry/