TRI-CITIES, WA – Kathy Powell, Event Director of the Tri-City Water Follies will retire in February after 15 highly successful years of managing the largest and most profitable signature event in the Tri-Cities.
Powell started volunteering in 1994 and was recruited to take over the bankrupted event in 2007.
The Water Follies struggled through several different management organizations after Ken Maurer (one of the founders of the event in 1965) decided to retire and sold his interest in the Maurer Company in 2003 after 38 years at the helm.
“In 2006 the organization was $35,000 in debt with minimal sponsor support and stressed relationships with the cities and boat race fans” explained Kathy (Balcom) Lampson who was asked to serve a second term as president (the first being in 1996) to help make the organization profitable again. “Past presidents and volunteers jumped in, reorganized the management structure/compensation, developed creative sponsorship incentives and gave Kathy Powell the ball to run with. From that day forward the organization has been very profitable.”
Other accomplishments under Kathy Powell’s watch included:
Building the warehouse in 2012 which houses the management office, event equipment and supplies.Donating labor and dollars to add irrigation and sod to the Pasco levee.Donating funds to improve the band shell in Columbia Park.Donating financial support to rebuild the playground of dreams and add a hydroplane feature.Upgraded the sound system in Columbia Park with a new solar powered system.
During Powell’s tenure Tri- City Water Follies has been recognized as:
Race site of the year by H1 Unlimited for several years as well as receiving an award for excellence.Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau Tourism Champion of the Year.Best event in the Tri-Cities by the People’s Choice awardsBeing honored by the International Council of Air Shows for the 2020 Drive in Air ShowReceiving award for the Best Event in Southeast Washington 2021 by the Washington State Festival and Events Association.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as the Event Director for the past 15 years. I lost my dad to cancer last spring and I’m turning 60 in January. I’m ready for a summer off to enjoy my pool and explore a lot of campgrounds in the region” she explains.
Her best memories include:
Celebrating the 50th running of the boat races and securing the APBA Gold Cup for the race;The Drive in Air Show in 2020Riding in the Miss Thriftway vintage hydroplaneCommuting by helicopter between the airport to the park.
“I’m super proud of my tenure with the Tri-City Water Follies Association. I’ve loved getting to know my community through sponsor and partner relationships, working with our municipalities and supporting agencies; and especially the Water Follies Board. I admit that the last 2 years have been a challenge and I’m so proud of how the organization managed to pull off the drive-in once in a lifetime Air Show 2020 and how we overcame ever changing obstacles to present the HAPO Air Show & Columbia Cup in 2021.”
Current Tri-City Water Follies Board President Hector Cruz explains the exit strategy and plans for 2022. “Kathy won’t be leaving the Water Follies unattended. She’ll stay through Feb. 2022 to help the next event director come up to speed and will volunteer to help wherever needed.”
Credits from 2020 & 2021 are still in place and will be honored in 2022. Hospitality maps and reservation information has been restored to pre-COVID versions with renewal invitations going out in January.
The Board of Directors is also pleased to announce that the event broke-even despite all the challenges in 2021.
Event planning applicants can go to Indeed.com to submit a resume.
