CTUIR Caps Off Successful First Tri-City Water Follies Sponsorship

KENNEWICK, Wash. – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) on July 28 capped off a successful initial 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 Columbia Cup was Corey Peabody of Beacon Plumbing/Apollo Strong Racing, who received $10,000. Andrew Tate of Miss Goodman Real Estate Racing earned $5,000 for second place, while Dustin Echols of Bucket List Racing walked away with $2,500 for third place.

“On behalf of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the treaty tribes of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, we’re proud to be sponsors of the Columbia Cup and congratulate all the racers and the Water Follies,” CTUIR Chairman Gary I. Burke said. “We are extremely pleased with our initial partnership with Tri-City Water Follies and look forward to next year.”

“We were honored to sponsor the Water Follies’ Columbia Cup purse this year and look forward to reaching out for such opportunities in the Tri-Cities more often,” CTUIR Board Member at Large Corinne Sams said. “The Tri-Cities area is a part of our traditional use and aboriginal title lands reserved in the Treaty of 1855. The CTUIR will continue to protect, preserve and enhance our foods and lands in this area.”

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.

As part of its sponsorship, the CTUIR was allowed a hospitality tent and hosted Trios Healthcare employees, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1296 firefighters and Yakama Nation dignitaries as its guest. 

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 Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is comprised of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla 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.