It’s beginning to feel a lot like summer in our Tri-Cities community, and you know what that means! It’s officially time for some fun in the sun!
Juneteenth “Fun Day” at the Park Celebration
331 S. Wehe St., Pasco
509.947.8171
For the past 40 years and then some, the Tri-Cities community has celebrated the emancipation of slavery, and this year will be no different. The celebration for this year’s Juneteenth has been put together by the Tri-Cities Juneteenth Community Council and Planning Committee for a Juneteenth “Fun Day” Celebration. The festival is scheduled for June 18 at Kurtzman Park this year, where community members will come together to celebrate unity. Attendees for this year’s event will get a meal and a dessert provided by financial donations and sponsorships to the community council. There will be kids’ games, live entertainment, an adult spades and dominoes tournament, plus plenty of food vendors with tasty treats for the Saturday event.
In preparation for the “Fun Day,” there will be various celebrations for the Juneteenth days before. On June 15, a skating party will be held at Richland Rollarena from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Then, on Friday the 17, there will be the Miss Juneteenth Pageant held at the Chiawana High School at 6 p.m. It’s not just going to be a fun day but also a fun week!
Glow Hike on Badger Mountain
525 Queensgate Dr., Richland
509.783.7878
Tri-Cities community members can join Mid-Columbia Libraries this upcoming June 24 for a Glow Hike on Badger Mountain. Deck yourself out in glowsticks, glow bracelets, and anything else you can think of and meet them at the Badger Mountain Trailhead Park at sunset for this fun hiking experience from 8:30 until 10:30 p.m. The goal is to light up the mountain, so extra glowsticks will be provided for hikers, and of course, flashlights and headlamps are encouraged for extra safety.
Mariachi and More Festival
Highway 240 & Columbia River, Kennewick
509.542.0933
The Mariachi and More Festival will be held in Kennewick this upcoming June 26 for the 15th year in a row! This day-long festival will be held at the Kennewick Columbia Park Bandshell from 12 until 7 p.m. Bring the whole family and enjoy the sounds of the best Northwest Mariachi groups in the region and even more Latino bands! There will be lots of activities for the kiddos to enjoy as well, along with a variety of tasty, authentic cuisine from local vendors. It’s definitely going to be a fun fiesta, so mark it down in your calendar!
Mud Factor
3432 Beardsley Dr. Building A, Richland
Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex is excited to be hosting this year’s Tri-Cities Mud Factor on June 26 this summer. This year marks 11 years of celebration for the mud run fun with the event featuring giant cargo climbs, mud pits, water slides, and a KIDZ run, as well as an obstacle run. It’s the perfect chance to make muddy memories with the family, and there’s no pressure because everyone’s a winner. Don’t forget to purchase tickets on their website before the event!
River of Fire
Columbia Park Trail
509.585.4293
Returning to Columbia Park for its annual 4th of July celebration is the River of Fire Festival. This year’s festivities for the event include a kids zone, food truck alley, beer garden, and live entertainment provided by Fast Lane and Stomping Ground. Parking for the day of fun opens to the public at noon, with the party carrying on until 11:30 that night. The night will end with a beautiful display of fireworks that will light up the night sky, starting at 10 p.m.
Crawfest
1110 Osprey Pointe Boulevard, Pasco
509.547.9755
The city of Pasco will be celebrating their 4th Annual Pasco Chamber Crawfest this upcoming July 16 from noon until 6 p.m. Joining them for the celebration once again this year is Buddy Bentz from the legendary Jack-Sons Crawfish boil past, who will be teaming up with his son Matt Bentz to bring an authentic taste of Louisiana Crawfish Boil. Attendees can get their “Cajun On” and enjoy some delicious crawdads with corn, potatoes, sausage, and all the fixins accompanied by Zydeco music, great beer, and a wine garden. Don’t forget to get your tickets online ahead of the event!
Art in the Park
500 Amon Park Dr., Richland
509.943.9815
Howard Amon Park in Richland is excited to host its 71st Annual Art in the Park event, inviting all community members of the Tri-Cities to attend the gala. The event is free to the public and will host a wide variety of artist booths, live entertainment, and food trucks galore! Artists at the event will showcase the very best of their clay, fiber, sculpture, painting, jewelry, photography, and various other unique and niche forms of art. This fun, family-friendly event will be held on July 29 from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on July 30 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
From food to celebrations of art, culture and more, find fun in the sun this summer in the Tri-Cities with one or more of these wonderful events.
