CTUIR Caps Off Second Tri-City Water Follies Sponsorship

KENNEWICK, Wash. – For the second straight year, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) on July 27 capped off a successful sponsorship of the Tri-City Water Follies by awarding prize money to the Apollo Columbia Cup’s top three finishers. 

Raced on Sunday evening, the winner of the Apollo American Power Boat Association (APBA) Gold Cup was Dave Villwock of Apollo Racing, who received $10,000. Jamie Nilsen of FLAV-R-PAC Racing earned $5,000 for second place, while Andrew Tate of Goodman Real Estate Racing walked away with $2,500 for third place.

“On behalf of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Board of Trustees, we are proud to once again have sponsored the Gold Cup prize money, and we congratulate all the racers and the Water Follies,” said CTUIR Treasurer Raymond Huesties, who handed out the ceremonial prize checks to the racers. “I also would like to thank the previous Board of Trustees for getting the CTUIR involved with the Water Follies, and this Board and staff for following through. We are extremely pleased with our Tri-City Water Follies partnership and wish the racers the best of luck the rest of the season.”

The Water Follies is a weekend of hydroplane boat racing in pursuit of the Apollo Columbia Cup and a stop for the H1 Unlimited hydroplane race schedule, showcasing multiple classes of boats. It also features the Spokane Teachers Credit Union Over-the-River Air Show and other exhibitions.

Showcasing various activities, the Water Follies annually draw crowds of approximately 50,000 to Kennewick’s Columbia Park and 15,000 to the Pasco shore during its three days. The Tri-Cities area is a metropolitan area consisting of Benton and Franklin counties in Washington state, anchored by the cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland.

The Tri-Cities area is a part of the CTUIR’s traditional use and aboriginal title lands reserved in the Treaty of 1855.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is comprised of the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla Tribes, and formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 Stat. 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the reserved treaty rights guaranteed under federal law.