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Thrills, theatrics on display during 2nd day of 2024 Tri-City Water Follies. Take a look

eric rosane
·2 min read

Thousands flocked to Columbia Park on Saturday to watch H1 Unlimited hydroplane racing amid cool and hazy weather.

The second day of the 2024 Tri-Cities Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup and STCU Over-The-River Air Show was packed with thrills, excitement and drama.

Crowds gasped when the U-1 Beacon Electric hydroplane flipped and landed upside-down during the first heat of the cup. The plane got caught in U-9 Beacon Plumbing’s roostertail on an early turn when it went airborne.

The flipped hydro’s driver, J. Michael Kelly, was evaluated by medical and ultimately walked away from the scene.

J. Michael Kelly’s U-1 Beacon Electric hydroplane flips Saturday, July 27, during the first H-1 Unlimited heat of the 2024 Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup. The plane got caught tailing Corey Peabody in the U-9 Beacon Plumbing.
J. Michael Kelly’s U-1 Beacon Electric hydroplane flips Saturday, July 27, during the first H-1 Unlimited heat of the 2024 Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup. The plane got caught tailing Corey Peabody in the U-9 Beacon Plumbing.

Off the water, Kennewick Police Commander Isaac Merkl characterized this year’s Water Follies as “chill.”

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, there were no heat-related emergency calls. Incident command received five medical-related calls, one of which was Kelly’s boat flip. These numbers are below what they would see in a normal year.

Crowds relax on the river Saturday, July 27, during the 2024 Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup and STCU Over-the-River Air Show. The weekend marked the 59th time Unlimited hydroplanes raced on the Mid-Columbia River.
Crowds relax on the river Saturday, July 27, during the 2024 Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup and STCU Over-the-River Air Show. The weekend marked the 59th time Unlimited hydroplanes raced on the Mid-Columbia River.

One attendee was arrested on a warrant and another was cited for urinating in public, near the kid’s zone.

“It’s been a good weekend so far,” Merkl said. “Everybody’s been behaving themselves, and the joint command structure with Kennewick fire and Kennewick police has allowed for great public safety in the park.”

Thousands flocked to Columbia Park on Saturday, July 27, for the thrill, drama and excitement of H1 Unlimited hydroplanes during the 2024 Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup and STCU Over-the-River Air Show.
Thousands flocked to Columbia Park on Saturday, July 27, for the thrill, drama and excitement of H1 Unlimited hydroplanes during the 2024 Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup and STCU Over-the-River Air Show.
Pieces from the U-1 Beacon Electric hydroplane lie on a dock following a dramatic flip in H1 Unlimited action Saturday, July 27, during the 2024 Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup and STCU Over-the-River Air Show.
Pieces from the U-1 Beacon Electric hydroplane lie on a dock following a dramatic flip in H1 Unlimited action Saturday, July 27, during the 2024 Water Follies Apollo Columbia Cup and STCU Over-the-River Air Show.

Sunday weather and hydroplane races

Crowds are expected to be heavy Sunday afternoon in time for the Apollo Columbia Cup finale.

Saturday’s weather peaked in the high 80s and it’s expected to get a bit hotter — and windier — for the final day.

Drivers hope the wind will help with the rough conditions.

Sunday will be sunny and hazy, with a high near 91 degrees expected at the Tri-Cities Airport, according to the National Weather Service in Pendleton.

Southwest winds 5-11 mph are forecasted, with gusts as high as 21 mph. That will likely complicate conditions for hydroplanes races as Water Follies drivers head into their final races.

Courtesy National Weather Service in Pendleton.
Courtesy National Weather Service in Pendleton.

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