The name "Kennewick" is believed to be a native word meaning "grassy place." It has also been called "winter paradise," mostly because of the mild winters in the area. With over 300 annual days of sunshine, ideal for water sports, biking and hiking.Kennewick is the host city of the Tri-City Americans hockey team, as well as of the Indoor Football League's Tri-Cities Fever. They both play their home games in the Toyota Center, which hosts many other regional events. Each year, the last weekend in July, hydroplane racing takes place at the Water Follies event on the Columbia River. Visiting guests also enjoy shopping at Kennewick’s Columbia Center Mall, the retail hub for Southeastern Washington State.