News

  August 13, 2018

Countdown to RiverFest 2018

A festival showcasing all the benefits of the rivers and the hydrosystem.
 

RiverFest 2018 is growing in size and fun. To date, RiverFest will have over 40 exhibitors and vendors featuring the benefits of the river system and highlighting the four lower Snake River dams.
 
Exhibitors include ports, utilities, agri-businesses and trade organizations, fish and wildlife organizations, tribes, recreation and tourism related businesses, and others who use and benefit from rivers and the hydro system.
 
Visitors will be able to tour a tugboat, see demonstrations of the Whooshh salmon “cannon”, investigate a juvenile fish transportation truck, and learn about all the attributes of the hydrosystem with hands-on activities and games for all ages.
 
Other exhibits include:

  • Wanapum Tribe’s Native American Discovery Unit
  • Salmon Tent, a bright, beautiful 30-foot fish-shaped storytelling theater
  • Inflatable 18 foot tall slide to demonstrate fish slides at the dams plus kids games sponsored by Benton and Franklin PUD, Benton REA, and City of Richland Energy Services
  • Hydrosystem demonstration table - Foundation of Water and Energy Education
  • Jump on board a U.S. Coast Guard boat
  • Rolling River, a hands-on working stream table where families can run their own experiments to learn how rivers work
  • Activities teaching kids about Bonneville Power Administration power and transmission lines-
  • Try paddle boarding with Northwest Paddleboarding
  • Walk through the “River Maze” and gather information how salmon and the dams co-exist by the Benton Conservation District
  • Climb in the “Wheat Play Box”, a special area sponsored by the Port of Pasco, Franklin Conservation District, and Washington Grain Commission
  • And many more!

 
RiverFest 2018 will kick-off the event with the national anthem sung by the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers at 11:00 a.m. at the stage near the Lampson Pits. Congressman Dan Newhouse and other dignitaries will welcome attendees followed by rousing music by the Boys and Girls Club Drum Line. 
 
“RiverFest 2018 celebrates and raises awareness about the overall hydrosystem, and specifically the Snake River dams that are vital to our economy,” said Colin Hastings, chairman of RiverFest 2018 and CEO of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce. “This event will have many fun activities for kids and adults alike, all while showing support for our hydro system.”
 

RiverFest will be held Saturday, September 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at east end of Columbia Park (Lampson Pits) in Kennewick, Washington. Admission is free.  
 
Contact the Pasco Chamber of Commerce (509) 547-9755 for more information regarding sponsorships, exhibitors, and vendor opportunities. 

For more information on the Snake River Dams.

RiverFest 2018 from Richland CityView on Vimeo.