2024 Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup & STCU Over-the-River Air Show
Celebrate summer with exhilarating hydroplane races on the Columbia River at the Tri-City Water Follies.
Thrilling the community for over 55 years, the Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup and STCU Over-the-River Air Show hosts a variety of exciting hydroplane races for a weekend of summer fun. Watch the hydroplane races, enjoy an air show, meet hydroplane drivers, explore vendor booths, and have endless fun along the Columbia River at this family-friendly event!
When & Where:
The Tri-City Water Follies and STCU Over-the-River Air Show festivities takes place July 26 - 28, 2024. The hydroplane races are on the Columbia River, west of The Blue Bridge (Highway 395 Bridge) and can be enjoyed at Columbia Park in Kennewick and along the riverfront in Pasco.
![Two US Air Force planes soar across the sky during the Water Follies event.](https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=9b5db62dfff0204dd5838ec4f1f5c2e7 320w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=64ab2b7ff2ab5176ff512528b3ae1ac1 540w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6f54283c53663aea363a7d9a3ef4c2cd 768w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=603cdecedb02f1be388a7ed42fa363f7 1024w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=e49d217cc6d419558ade204e4cd8b583 1200w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=971afed00f23db90a908670dccbdef0a 1440w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=35f6940371d154546ab5d2eb85bad636 1920w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=a019df6dac2f9184b33429d01557f06a 2560w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=0380e2f69d1197d75186e6d7d0a14616 2633w)
Event Experiences:
Columbia Cup
Watch as multiple Unlimited Hydroplanes zip across the water during the Columbia Cup. Marvel as the boats reach speeds of close to 200 miles per hour on straightaways and cheer as they navigate around the other hydroplane’s roostertails.
Schedule:
- Friday - Featured programs include the Vintage Driving School, H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Qualifying, Vintage Hydroplane Dash, and the Grand Prix America Heat 1.
- Saturday - Don't miss exciting activities such as the Atomic Screen Printing Driver Autograph Session and the STCU Over-the-River Air Show.
- Sunday - Enjoy watching three final races, including the 2.5 litre Stock Hydro Final, Grand Prix America Thunder Cup, and the H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Apollo Columbia Cup.
The winner will take home the Columbia Cup as well as the coveted parking spot under Bernie Little’s famous tree for the following year’s race. For more information about the event schedule, visit the official website of the Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup and STCU Over-the-River Air Show.
Over-the-River Air Show
Witness a culmination of over 40 years of demonstrations performed by dozens of pilots and teams at hundreds of air shows from around the world. Featured aircraft include the MX2 Aircraft, Harvard Mk4, and an A-37 Dragonfly. Don't miss the final season of the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team.
![A person descends with a parachute while displaying a banner of the American flag.](https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Experiences.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=fcda63aca0e72cdb462a69a3a6e154bd 320w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Experiences.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=41114ac0737370001d860d2513395efd 540w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Experiences.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=516ca5b2a5e38ce929702df7614f9d8a 768w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Experiences.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=8092ba983f79285e0bf13414573bde9f 1024w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Experiences.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f8695d66c8fba826ff4176dfadc245b4 1200w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Experiences.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ba69ef86681efc4718253eb763ec779d 1440w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Experiences.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=ae09b2feafe10a9a4e0b97147833b4bf 1920w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Experiences.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=4833f35389e69696f2f879cfef054b20 2048w)
Grand Prix America
Experience exhilarating automotive-powered hydroplane races during Grand Prix America. Watch competitors battle for lanes as drivers go full-throttle in two preliminary heats on Saturday, followed by another preliminary heat and a final heat on Sunday, all in front of a cheering crowd.
Meyers' Auto Tech Championship Series Radio-Controlled Hydros
Check out radio-controlled hydroplane replicas that are 1/8th in scale as they reach speeds exceeding 60mph. The race track can be found at the Family Fishing Pond in Columbia Park, and the races take place on both Friday and Saturday.
![Two US Airforce planes fly in the air during the Water Follies event.](https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Vintage-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=db79290e40bb9786dd1d077941958e6f 320w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Vintage-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=dae8a0c27b13eec27b7cf0a0301ad248 540w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Vintage-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=abe29de3ef4aa26ba1d8855268a06da4 768w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Vintage-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=63363b65d7662fce3a8f4149e41c219b 1024w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Vintage-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=210fc824c5928aaa8aafca8f095b14a4 1200w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Vintage-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=c91ef0564fb0a58c1cf10c6098062223 1440w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Vintage-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=25cdd2dae8456861c62714316a12b44c 1920w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Vintage-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=dd3fd84e04edf64d22b6318f31a84cb4 2560w, https://tri-cities.imgix.net/images/Tri-Cities-Water-Follies-Vintage-Planes.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=d7239ae5eaed6b7a39e7b83ebab32b83 3840w)
2.5-Liter Hydroplanes
The Tri-City Water Follies is delighted to announce that the Apollo Columbia Cup will welcome 2.5 litre class hydroplanes to its lineup of exciting racing on the Columbia River! This competition features incredibly fast boats that can reach remarkable speeds making it an exciting spectacle for attendees of all ages. 2.5 litre hydroplanes can reach high speeds, up to 100 mph!
Vintage Hydroplanes
Traverse across the Columbia River on vintage Unlimited Hydroplanes, taking a step back into the past of this event. Experience the thrilling boats that were victorious showstoppers from 1973 to 1981. Check back for more information about the ride fees.
Admission Details:
Tri-City Water Follies is a ticketed event with numerous admission options for a truly customized experience.
- 3-Day Admission & Pit Pass - $60
- 2-Day Weekender Adult (13+) - $50
- 1-Day Admission valid Saturday or Sunday (6-12) - $10
- Single Day Admission and Pit Passes Available
In addition to these general admission tickets, attendees can purchase tickets to special areas, including the Hydro Hot Spot and Bulldog Beach Club, and premium parking options. Purchase tickets here.
Accommodations
Tri-Cities offers a wide range of accommodations conveniently located near Water Follies, popular restaurants and wineries, and other exciting activities. Book your stay at a local hotel, vacation rental, or setup camp at an RV Park.