City of Kennewick Recognizes VenuWorks Team for Outstanding River of Fire Celebration

More than 27,000 people attended the 2026 Independence Day celebration, marking another milestone in VenuWorks’ longstanding partnership with the City of Kennewick.

The City of Kennewick has formally recognized the VenuWorks team for its leadership, dedication and professionalism in producing the 2026 River of Fire, the Tri-Cities’ largest single-day community event.

More than 27,000 people attended this year’s celebration at Columbia Park, with nearly 17,000 guests in the park at the event’s 9 p.m. peak. Attendance data also showed the celebration’s growing regional reach, with 18 percent of attendees traveling more than 50 miles to participate.

In a letter sent to VenuWorks’ corporate office, Kennewick City Manager Erin Erdman commended the hundreds of employees who contributed countless hours before, during and after the event—and who gave up their own Fourth of July holiday to serve the community.

“Your commitment, partnership, and passion have helped transform River of Fire into one of the premier Independence Day celebrations in the Pacific Northwest,” Erdman wrote.

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department first approached VenuWorks in 2021 about assuming responsibility for River of Fire’s land operations. Although the event extended well beyond the team’s responsibilities at the Three Rivers Campus, VenuWorks Executive Director Corey Pearson and his colleagues saw an opportunity to support the City and create an even stronger community tradition.

Since then, River of Fire has continued to grow in both size and scope. Enhancements have included additional parking, two concert stages, an expanded variety of food vendors, a larger Kids Zone and increased use of Columbia Park as one of the region’s premier public gathering spaces.

The City offered special recognition to Pearson and VenuWorks team members Sybil Young, Roni Gierke, Rob Gierke and Michelle Gustafson. Their work extends far beyond planning meetings, with each actively working throughout the park on Independence Day alongside staff, vendors and community partners to help provide a safe, welcoming and memorable experience for every guest.

The success of River of Fire reflects the broader partnership between VenuWorks and the City of Kennewick. VenuWorks has managed the Three Rivers Campus—which includes the Three Rivers Convention Center, Toyota Center and Toyota Arena—since 2004.

During that time, the team has helped transform the campus into a regional destination for entertainment, sports, conventions and community gatherings. Under VenuWorks management, the campus has moved from a $1.2 million annual operating deficit to sustainable profitability, increased annual food and beverage revenue from less than $1 million to more than $3 million, and grown to host approximately 610 events and 613,000 attendees each year. The campus now generates an estimated annual economic impact of $43 million.

The team has also introduced homegrown events, expanded youth and adult sports programming, developed partnerships with schools and community organizations, and found new ways to activate the campus throughout the year. River of Fire is a natural extension of that work—and of VenuWorks’ commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.

“Events like River of Fire demonstrate what is possible when a city and its venue management partner share a genuine commitment to the community,” said Pearson. “We are incredibly proud of our team and grateful to the City of Kennewick for trusting us with an event that means so much to the people of the Tri-Cities.”

As families increasingly make River of Fire part of their annual Independence Day traditions, VenuWorks looks forward to continuing its partnership with the City and building upon the event’s success for years to come.