Someone new is kicking in thousands in prize money for 2024 Apollo Columbia Cup winners

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are putting up $17,500 in prize money for the first-, second- and third-place finishers in this weekend’s 2024 Tri-City Water Follies hydroplane racing.

The Oregon tribe, based in Mission, Ore., near Pendleton, stepped in as the purse sponsor for the July 26-28 Apollo Columbia Cup, which will be determined Sunday. The purse includes $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third.

The Umatilla linked its involvement to its historic connection to the Columbia River when it announced its involvement in the event, now in its 59th year.

“(T)he Tri-Cities area is part of the CTUIR’s traditional use and aboriginal title lands,” said Gary Burke, CTUIR’s chairman, in a news release.

As a sponsor, the tribes are hosting a hospitality tent at Gate H2. Trios employees, local firefighters and Yakama Nation dignitaries are invited guests.

The Umatilla joined the list of Water Follies sponsors one year after Apollo Inc., a Kennewick contractor, signed on as title sponsor after organizers publicly pleaded for financial support in early 2023.

Water Follies generates $2.7 million in visitor spending according to Visit Tri-Cities.

A dozen unlimited hydroplanes are competing for the Columbia Cup trophy, prize money as well as the privilege of parking under a massive tree in Kennewick’s Columbia Park when boat racing returns in 2025.

Water Follies also includes the STCU Over-the-River Air Show and other exhibits.

Go to waterfollies.com .

CTUIR consists of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla tribes and formed under the Treaty of 1855. Under the treaty, the tribes ceded land, but retained fishing and other rights. About half the 3,100 enrolled members live on or near its reservation, where it operate the Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

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