Benton County is hosting the grand opening of the newly renovated grandstands at McDaniel Arena this Saturday, July 18th.
One of the Tri-Cities’ most iconic venues is getting a proper celebration, and the community is invited.
New McDaniel Arena Grand Opening is This Weekend in Kennewick
The grand opening starts at 2 PM and runs until 4 PM at the Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds on South Oak Street in Kennewick.
There will be free face painting for the kids, Kona Ice, a live DJ, food, refreshments, and open tours of the new facility.
Monster Trucks start at 7 PM to end the night of entertainment that is hard to beat for a Tri-Cities Saturday in July.
The Details of the New Fair Grounds McDaniel Arena Upgrades
McDaniel Arena has been a fixture of Benton County community life for over 75 years, and the new renovations that just wrapped up are huge, and not just a cosmetic refresh.
The grandstands have been completely revitalized, with seating capacity doubling from 3,000 to 6,000 seats. That is a transformation that opens the door to events the arena simply could not have hosted before.
The renovation also includes upgraded restroom facilities, a new shade wall feature, improved public access to amenities, and enhancements to both air and sound quality. The historic south-side “over the chutes” structure, one of the arena’s most recognizable features, was preserved throughout the project.
Phase one of the broader fairgrounds improvement project previously completed a full parking lot renovation, improving accessibility and safety. Phase two, the grandstands, is now complete, after funding by county economic development dollars designated specifically for projects that stimulate local economic growth.
More seats mean more events, and that means more economic activity for the entire Tri-Cities area.
Monster Trucks Cap Off the Grand Opening Night
The first major event in the newly renovated arena is the Monster Truck Insanity Tour. It rolls in the night of the grand opening, with gates open at 5:30 PM and the show starting at 7 PM.
Tickets are available on site during the grand opening or at insanitytour.com/kennewick.
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Gallery Credit: Aj Brewster