TRI-CITIES, Wash.- The NF Lampson Pits are being prepared for the 2024 Tri-City Water Follies. Volunteers began setting up with the docks on Saturday.
With Lampson cranes bringing the ramps and docks from the road to the Columbia River, it’s the first item on the “to-do” list before hydro planes hit the water.
“We’ll bring in the office trailers Monday,” says Jack Potter, the Water Follies’ pit boss. “Getting the electrical hooked up all the way down to the park. We set up the barge today, the start and finish line. Bringing equipment on Monday, Tuesday.”
On Thursday, the hydro planes will begin to park in the Columbia Park. As Water Follies volunteers, most of the crew are H1 fans and ready to see the races.
“Tri-Cities, we’re Hydro Town for a reason,” says Jack Guier, pit boss in training. “This is what’s in our blood here in Tri-Cities.”
Guier grew up in the Tri-Cities and at the hydro races. Working the event, he gets some time to stop and watch the rooster tails, but often leaves that for the final day of the event.
“Usually, the last race of the final on Sunday, all my guys, we go down to the water’s edge and we watch the race, see how it pans out for us,” says Guier.
Even those from outside the Tri-City area come to the Columbia to help put on the event. Potter lives in Seattle but has spent the last 30 years volunteering and watching Water Follies.
“I enjoyed the people and the sunshine. I like the heat and started going to boat races,” says Potter. “Somebody hooked me into it, and I started volunteering and kept it up.”
SWX will highlight all the action from Water Follies Sunday July 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
