Why Pasco
Pasco is a city located in southeastern Washington along the northern banks of the Columbia River, serving as the seat of Franklin County. Positioned alongside neighboring Richland and Kennewick, it forms part of the state's Tri-Cities metropolitan area. The surrounding geography is a windswept desert situated within the rain shadow of the Cascade Range. Due to this location, the city receives minimal precipitation throughout the year and experiences notable seasonal contrasts, including cold winters, warm springs, and hot summers.
The area carries historical significance dating back to October 1805, when members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition set up camp near the river, a moment commemorated today at Sacajawea State Park. Following periods frequented by fur trappers and gold traders, the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway in the 1880s spurred settlement, leading to official incorporation in 1891. The completion of the Grand Coulee Dam in 1941 introduced widespread irrigation, cementing farming as a cornerstone of the local economy. Subsequent decades brought regional growth linked to industrial projects and rail yards, while recent expansion has transformed the western portion of the city into vibrant new commercial and residential districts.
Visitors can experience several regular community events and open-air markets. Running from May through October, the downtown Pasco Farmers Market features regional agricultural produce. From March to October on weekends, the Pasco Flea Market operates on a 70-acre site in eastern Pasco as the largest open-air venue of its kind in Washington. Cultural life is also highlighted during the annual Fiery Foods Festival each September, a one-day celebration of spicy cuisine and local Hispanic heritage, as well as the Tri-Cities Pride Festival.
Outdoor recreation and sports form a key part of the city's appeal. Outdoor enthusiasts can access the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, a 22-mile educational hiking and biking loop that circles the Tri-Cities region. Spectators can catch minor league baseball games featuring the Tri-City Dust Devils at Gesa Stadium. Additional local attractions include the municipal Pasco Aquatics Center water park and Edgar Brown Memorial Stadium, an athletic facility constructed within a former gravel excavation pit.
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