May 3, 2021:  Event organizers announced that the 2021 HAPO Air Show &  Columbia Cup have been cancelled.  “Due to the recently issued Washington state (COVID) guidelines for special events, the size and scope of boat race weekend is not allowed,” said Hector Cruz, the president of the Tri-City Water Follies.  The dates for the event in 2022 are July 29-31.

April 21, 2021:  Seafair announced plans for Seafair 2021 events.  The HomeStreet Bank Cup for H1 Unlimited hydroplanes will not be held in person.  The H1 Unlimited drivers will compete from their homes in a virtual race on the Lake Washington race course.  KING 5 television will carry a broadcast looking back at 70 years of hydroplane racing.  Details for these events will be announced across all Seafair media platforms and at Seafair.org

KENNEWICK, July 20, 2020 – The Tri-City Water Follies Board of Directors has voted this evening to cancel the 55th Annual Columbia Cup. They are extremely disappointed that there will be no boat racing in 2020, but are exploring options for an air show that is safe and possible within the guidelines of Safe Start Washington.

The Water Follies Board of Directors voted in June to postpone the Columbia Cup. Their hope was that the Tri-Cities would move through the phases described in the Safe Start Washington plan, and there could be an event in September.

“Unfortunately, with Governor Inslee extending the pause on the phased approach to reopening at least until July 28th, and with the Tri-Cities area stuck in a modified phase 1, there is no way the Columbia Cup can happen. We are looking into a potential “drive-in” air show for 2020, and we working with the Benton Franklin Health Department on the requirements to make that happen,” says Kathy Powell, event director.

As always, Tri-City Water Follies would like to thank all of our fans, volunteers, sponsors, partners, teams, and vendors for their support and flexibility during this difficult time. We look forward to being back and better than ever in 2021!

For more information, please visit https://waterfollies.com/ or email [email protected].

 

While we may be missing hydroplane racing action on the water this summer, we can enjoy a little virtual racing.  H1 Unlimited E-league racing consists of 2 series.  The Driver Invitational features the actual drivers of the real unlimited, or a member of the racing crew.  The E-league series drivers are experienced competitors on the HydroSim game.  The races can be viewed on the H1 Unlimited Facebook page or YouTube channel.

SAN DIEGO, CA  June 11, 2020:

Due to the ongoing public health safety concerns and guidance from state government, the 56th running of HomeStreet Bank San Diego Bayfair on Mission Bay set for September 18-20 has been postponed until 2021.

The Board of Governors voted unanimously Tuesday to reschedule Bayfair and America’s Finest BBQ Festival for September 17-19, 2021. It is the first time that San Diego Bayfair hasn’t hosted a race since 1973.

“We’re disappointed that San Diego Bayfair won’t take place this year,” said Bob Davies, race director for San Diego Bayfair. “We evaluated various ways to stage Bayfair during the COVID-19 pandemic and felt we couldn’t ensure the health of our fans, volunteers, sponsors and race teams.”

San Diego is traditionally the last race of the season for H1 Unlimited and Grand Prix America hydroplane tours. Both tours have not raced this year because of event cancellations tied to the pandemic.

Bayfair had delayed the start of RV space registration and ticket sales awaiting on greater guidance from local and county officials. The event is staged in Mission Bay Park, which is controlled by the City of San Diego.

“We look forward to getting together again with friends and family in September 2021, in the meantime please stay safe and healthy,” Davies said.

Bayfair is one of San Diego’s largest beach festivals with more than 70,000 people annually drawn to Mission Bay for three days of boat racing, barbecue and craft beer festival, and family fun activities.

KENNEWICK, June 1, 2020: It is with great disappointment that we announce the 55th Annual Tri-City Water Follies event set for July 24-26, 2020 will be postponed. “This decision was not made lightly and was reached after much discussion and consultation with local leaders. With the available Safe Start Washington information, the board members voted to postpone,” says Kathy Powell, Event Director. “We have decided that due to the current COVID-19 policies it is not feasible to have an event on the last weekend of July in 2020. We are hoping to be able to hold the event later in the year, and would like to thank all of our fans, volunteers, partners, and sponsors for their support and flexibility during this difficult time.”

“The HAPO Columbia Cup and Over the River Airshow is a defining event for the region, and we want to make sure we are compliant with state regulations regarding COVID-19. An event of this magnitude takes months to plan, and the uncertainty surrounding the viability of the planned dates of July 24-26th has forced the Water Follies Board of Directors to postpone our event. We are hopeful we can still provide action on the water and excitement in the skies at a later date this year,” said Colin Hastings, President, Tri-City Water Follies.

The Tri-City Water Follies office will be contacting guests to arrange for refunds and answer questions. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Miss Madison, Inc. announced last November at the H1 Unlimited Awards Gala plans for the team to field 2 boats in 2020.  The U-1 Miss HomeStreet (2018 hull) piloted by Jimmy Shane will be joined by the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate (2007 hull) and driver, Jeff Bernard.

Jeff was a Miss Madison crew member in 2015 as spotter and back-up driver.  He re-joined the team as driver of the U-1918 (2007 Hull) sponsored by Oberto Specialty Meats for the 3 western races of the 2019 season becoming the 22nd driver to pilot a Miss Madison hull.

Charlie Grooms, Miss Madison, Inc. President and Team Manager, announced that Jeff will again drive the team’s second hull built in 2007.  The hydroplane will race as the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate and feature a black, gold and white paint scheme designed by Craig Montgomery.

ABOUT GOODMAN REAL ESTATE:  Founded in 1991 by John Goodman, Goodman Real Estate, Inc. (GRE) is a leading privately held real estate investment company specializing in multifamily and commercial real estate. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, they maintain a diversified portfolio of quality commercial property investments across the United States and Canada.

MissMadisonHydro.com has a new look.  Updates to the website accommodate Miss Madison Racing’s plan to field two hydroplanes in 2020 and debut the new Miss Madison Racing logo designed by Paul C. LaMarre, Jr. Paul is a marine artist known for his watercolor paintings of Great Lakes freighters, tugboats and unlimited hydroplanes.  Miss Madison fans will be familiar with his 1988 painting “Evolution”, depicting the then 5 Miss Madison hulls.  Paul was assisted in transforming his artwork to our logo by his son, Paul C. LaMarre III.

HomeStreet Bank, sponsor of the U-1 Miss HomeStreet (2018 hull) driven by Jimmy Shane and Goodman Real Estate sponsor of the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate with Driver Jeff Bernard are prominently featured on the refreshed website.

Eric Corning, President and CEO of Seafair announced the cancellation of all Seafair events scheduled for the summer of 2020.  This includes Seafair weekend July 31 – August 2 which includes the H1 Unlimited hydroplanes race for the HomeStreet Bank Cup.  Miss Madison Racing is disappointed that we won’t be competing in Seattle this year, but are looking forward for a return to racing on Lake Washington in 2021.

While we are all missing action on the water this summer, H1 Unlimited introduces E-League unlimited hydroplane racing.  The Miss Madison Team welcomes new H1 Unlimited E-League drivers Kelsey Best and Tim Johnson to the team.

Kelsey will be driving the Miss HomeStreet and Tim will be in the Miss Goodman Real Estate in this weekend’s inaugural virtual Guntersville Hydrofest.

Follow along on Saturday, May 23rd at Noon PDT, 3 p.m. EDT on these sites:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/H1Unlimited/live/
YouTube- https://youtu.be/IhmovRDTPOU