Here’s your megaguide to the 2023 Tri-City Water Follies. Schedule, prices, parking + more

Karlee Van De Venter
·6 min read

The fastest course of the hydroplane racing circuit is approaching — it’s nearly Water Follies weekend.

The 2023 Columbia Cup and STCU Over the River Air Show is at the Columbia River from July 28 to 30, and the schedule foreshadows a weekend full of action. Here’s everything you need to know before heading out.

Water Follies ticket options

Tickets are sold in two categories, junior and adult. Children younger than six get in for free. Junior price is offered for ages 6 to 12, and adults are 13 and up. Friday is free for all, but upgrades are available.

▪ General admission

The junior price is $10, whether it is Saturday only, Sunday only, or both days. For adults, Saturday only is $25 and Sunday only is $30. A two-day adult package is available for $45.

▪ Pit pass

Add a pit pass to any general admission ticket for $10.

▪ Premium parking

Add premium parking to any general admission ticket for $10.

▪ RV parking

Multiple camping options are available.

The east RV parking includes a 25-foot by 40-foot space for one recreational vehicle and one regular vehicle. Reserving a camping space comes with four three-day general admission and pit passes. Your camper’s length cannot exceed 40 feet. Price will vary by space and duration of stay.

The main RV parking includes a 25-foot by 38-foot space for one recreational vehicle and one regular vehicle. Reserving a camping space comes with four three-day general admission and pit passes. Your camper’s length cannot exceed 38 feet. Price will vary by space and duration of stay.

Spectators watch from the water during the 2022 Tri-Cities Water Follies.
Spectators watch from the water during the 2022 Tri-Cities Water Follies.

▪ Special area tickets

There are designated viewing areas with special perks you can pay extra for.

Hydro Hot Spot

Located in a premium viewing area on the Columbia Park shore, the Hydro Hot Spot package includes access to the hot spot, pit access, access to a cash-only beer garden, complimentary water and soft drinks, lunch provided on Sunday, and a souvenir button and program. Junior tickets are $50 but do not include souvenir items. Adult tickets are $150. If you buy four or more, nearby parking is free.

Bulldog Beach Club

The Bulldog Beach Club package is $300 and includes four tickets to a premium viewing area on the Pasco River shore, nearby parking, complimentary lunch on Sunday and an official race program. A maximum of two additional tickets can be added for $75 each. Junior tickets are $30.

Round Table

The Round Table package is $650 and includes six tickets to a special viewing area plus pit access, complimentary soft drinks and water, four official programs, three nearby parking passes and a commemorative mug. Junior passes are $10 and additional tickets can be added for $100 each.

Starting Line

The Starting Line package is $500 and includes two tickets to a special viewing area right by the starting line, plus two pit passes and a nearby parking pass, complimentary water, soda and beer, two souvenir buttons, programs and commemorative beer steins and fully catered breakfast, lunch and dinner. Additional tickets can be purchased for $250 each.

Parking at Water Follies

Parking restrictions will vary whether you’re watching from the Columbia Park side or the Pasco side. Neither option has in-and-out privileges, meaning once you leave your parking space, you will have to pay again to re-park.

▪ Columbia Park - Use the Highway 240 and Fruitland St. entrances

  • Friday: $5. Opens 8 a.m., closes after last heat

  • Saturday: $10. Opens 8 a.m., closes after last heat

  • Sunday: $10. Opens 7 a.m., closes after last heat

▪ Pasco

Limited parking is available near Pasco viewing. Official parking signs off of Sylvester Street will mark available spots. This parking is free on Friday and $10 Saturday and Sunday. Nearby parking may be offered by private property owners, but rates are at their discretion and the parking spots are not affiliated with the Water Follies.

Final 2022 day views of Columbia Cup and Over the River Air Show action from the official Water Follies barge in Kennewick’s Columbia Park.
Final 2022 day views of Columbia Cup and Over the River Air Show action from the official Water Follies barge in Kennewick’s Columbia Park.

Alternatively, Ben Franklin Transit is also offering rides to both sides of the river. On Friday and Saturday, buses will offer routes once an hour from 8 a.m. to noon, plus returning rides approximately 20 minutes after the day’s last heat. To get to the Columbia Park side, use the Lampson Stadium or Knight Street Transit Center bus stops. To get to the Pasco side, use the bus stop at the HAPO Center.

Water Follies 2023 schedule

Friday, July 28

  • 8 a.m.: Park opens. Testing through 10:30 a.m.

  • 10:45 a.m.: 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat 1

  • 11 a.m.: Over the River Air Show

  • 1 p.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Qualifying

  • 3 p.m.: Vintage driving school

  • 4:20 p.m.: 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat 2

  • 4:40 p.m.: Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 1

  • 5:05 p.m.: Vintage hydroplane dash

Saturday, July 29

  • 8 a.m.: Park opens. Testing through 10 a.m.

  • 10:30 a.m.: Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 2

  • 11 a.m.: Over the River Air Show

  • 12 p.m.: Atomic Screen printing All Driver autograph session

  • 1 p.m.: Vintage driving school

  • 1:30 p.m.: 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat 3

  • 2 p.m.: Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 3

  • 2:30 p.m.: Vintage Heat 1

  • 3 p.m.: 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Heat 4

  • 3:30 p.m.: Vintage Heat 2

  • 4 p.m.: Connell Oil H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1A

  • 4:30 p.m.: Connell Oil H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1B

BONUS: The Boat Race Bash after-party will be at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco. The party will feature two stages and four DJs. Doors open at 8 p.m. on Saturday, DJs take the first stage at 9 p.m. and the second at 10 p.m. Featuring Latin, rap, hip hop, trap and house music, the lineup includes DJ Kingpin X, DJ Chromatic Anomaly, DJ Teck and headliner DJ Jordan Salazar.

If you buy your tickets ahead of time, general admission is $30 and VIP tickets are $45. If you buy at the door, general admission is $35 and VIP tickets are $55.

Sunday, July 30

  • 7 a.m.: Park opens. Church service

  • 7:30 a.m.: Testing through 8:30 a.m.

  • 8:45 a.m.: Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 4

  • 9:15 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies

  • 10 a.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2A

  • 10:30 a.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2B

  • 11 a.m.: STCU Over the River Air Show

  • 1:30 p.m.: 2.5 Stock Heat 5

  • 2 p.m.: Vintage Heat 3

  • 2:30 p.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3A

  • 3 p.m.: Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3B

  • 3:30 p.m.: 2.5 Stock Hydroplane Final

  • 4 p.m.: Grand Prix America Thunder Cup

  • 4:30 p.m.: H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Columbia Cup

Images from the Sunday air show at the 2022 Tri-Cities Water Follies.
Images from the Sunday air show at the 2022 Tri-Cities Water Follies.

What can you bring to Water Follies?

When it comes to a day or weekend on the Columbia River, there are things you should bring to be prepared for the day. If you forget something, you’ll likely have to re-pay for parking when you come back.

Don’t forget:

  • Sunscreen

  • Folding chairs/blanket

  • Cooler, lots of water

  • Sunglasses

  • Hat

  • Form of shade, like umbrella or cabana

You cannot bring:

  • Pets

  • Skateboards or roller blades

  • Unauthorized motor vehicles, like golf carts and scooters

  • Squirt guns

  • Weapons

  • Drones

  • Glass

  • Alcohol