BASIN EVENTS: Nov. 21-29
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 months, 2 weeks AGO
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | November 20, 2025 6:15 PM
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s Thanksgiving week, and there are turkey-related events happening everywhere in the Basin, plus holiday shopping, crafts and much more. Here are some ways to enjoy the week:
Nov. 21
Community Turkey Drive
Volunteers will be at Moses Lake grocery stores encouraging shoppers to purchase and donate a frozen turkey or canned food. Food will be distributed to help local families enjoy healthy meals this holiday season. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Safeway, Lep-Re-Kon Harvest Foods, and Moses Lake Grocery Outlet. Info: 509-765-5606.
Pumpkin Painting for Kids
Paint a fun pumpkin as a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table, front porch, or other decor! All families will get one pumpkin to share and paint. 11 a.m.-012:30 p.m. at Soap Lake Public Library, 32 Main Ave. S. Info: 509-246-1313.
Downtown Tree Lighting
Kick off the holiday season with Moses Lake’s traditional tree lighting. 4-6 p.m. at Sinkiuse Square. Info: www.downtownmoseslake.org.
Nov. 21-22
United Women of Faith Holiday Bazaar
Homemade crafts, baked goods, holiday gifts and more. Chili and cornbread dinner available for $7 4-6 p.m. 2-6 p.m. at Moses Lake United Methodist Church, 746 S. Ironwood Drive. Info: 509-765-5332.
Nov 21-22, 24-25
‘Mamma Mia!’
Set on a sunny Greek island, “Mamma Mia!” tells the story of Sophie, a young bride-to-be who secretly invites three men from her mother Donna’s past in hopes of discovering which one is her father. As the big day approaches, the past and present collide in this heartwarming and hilarious tale of love, friendship, and self-discovery – all set to the timeless hits of ABBA. Come join the MLHS Theatre Troupe for this high-energy musical filled with laughter, heart, and unforgettable music. 7 p.m. Friday-Tuesday, 32 p.m. matinee Saturday at Moses Lake High School, 803 Sharon Ave. E. Tickets and info: https://bit.ly/MLHSMammaMiaTix.
Nov. 22
Winter Wonderland Market
Sixty-plus businesses, plus coffee, food and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free for the whole family. Hosted by Poppin’ Up 509. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: [email protected].
Holly Jolly Christmas with Santa
Cookie decorating, face painting, workshops for holiday wreaths, porch pots and Thanksgiving centerpieces and photos with Santa. Soup and treats available from the Garden Grill. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Seed Cupboard Nursery, 12543 Road H SW, Royal City. Info: 509-750-8911.
Gratitude Banquet
Thanksgiving meal to recognize all recovery personnel. Guest speakers, dinner and raffles. Hosted by the Alano Club of Moses Lake. 5 p.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 121 Alder St. SW. Info: 509-398-1812.
Buckets N Boards
Buckets N Boards is a hilarious and high-energy show chock-full of percussion, clean comedy, ridiculous songs, beautiful harmonies, spectacular tap dancing, inventive instrumentation and a variety of musical talents. Presented by Columbia Basin Allied Arts. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. at the Big Bend Community College Wallenstien Theater, 6991 College Pkwy NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.cba-arts.org.
Nov. 23
Turkey Bingo
Prize for each game will be an 18- to 20-pound turkey, with additional cash prizes for some games. Baked potatoes, hot dogs, pop and chips for sale by the Quincy High School Fire Science Class. Hosted by Quincy Valley Lions club. Doors open at 1 p.m., games begin at 2 p.m. at the Quincy Business and Conference Center, 115 F St. SE. Info: 509-398-2631.
Nov. 24
The Heart of Thanksgiving
Coulee City Presbyterian Church, Coulee City Food Center, the Soap Lake Food Bank, and the Grant County Health District are helping ease the burden for Thanksgiving by providing food for homes that need a little extra help. 5-7 p.m. at Coulee City Presbyterian Church, 214 N. Fourth St. Info: 509-632-5696.
Nov. 25
Soup on Saturdays Bake Sale
Fresh cinnamon rolls, pumpkin rolls and other baked goodies. Pies available for pre-order through Nov. 23. Proceeds support Soup on Saturdays food ministry. Info: www.facebook.com/souponsaturdaysSOS.
Nov. 26
Free Family Movie
“Freakier Friday”: Get ready for the hilarious sequel to the beloved classic. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are back, but this time the generational switcheroo gets even wilder. With a daughter, a stepdaughter, and a whole lot of family fusion, Tess and Anna are about to find out if lightning really can strike twice. Rated PG. Snacks are welcome, just clean up afterward. 1 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 206 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
Nov. 27
3rd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
If you’re facing a difficult season, you’re not alone. Come enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal surrounded by neighbors and friends who care. Share good food, kindness, and connection. This community event is open to everyone, but especially families and individuals who are part of WIC or SNAP programs or who have been impacted by layoffs during the federal shutdown. Sponsored by Othello Community Partners. 4 p.m. at Othello Nazarene Church, 835 S. 10th Ave. Info: 509-488-6044.
Nov. 29
Museum & Community Center Breakfast Fundraiser
Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage with coffee or juice for a $15 donation. Children 10 and under can opt to order one biscuit for $5. Proceeds benefit Washtucna Historical Museum & Community Center. 8 a.m. at Sonny’s Tavern, 250 SW Main St., Washtucna. Info: 509-646-3310.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Black Phone 2 (R); Keeper (R); Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (PG-13); Predator Badlands (PG-13); Regretting You (PG-13); Sarah’s Oil (PG); The Running Man (R); Wicked: For Good (PG);. See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Zootopia 21 (PG); Wicked: For Good (PG). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Roofman (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The Quincy Library will host a free showing of “Freakier Friday,” starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, on Nov. 26.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Quincy National Night Out scales down
QUINCY — Quincy’s National Night Out was more compact this year, which worked out well, said QPD Sgt. Joe Westby, who’s in charge of event planning for the Quincy Police Department. “National Night Out is a big event, and the fact that we’re able to shrink it up is like a breath of fresh air,” Westby said. “If you're always doing the same thing, it's kind of nice to switch things up and see how it works.” National Night Out took place Thursday on the block of C Street next to the police station, a shift from previous years when it was held at Lauzier Park. The smaller space meant fewer emergency vehicles for children to explore, but it also meant less walking for attendees. Grant County Fire District 5 brought a fire truck, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office had a patrol boat. Renew, the Grant County behavioral health agency, had a booth and so did Quincy Partnership for Youth. Veterans Operation Creation sang the national anthem, and the Quincy Animal Shelter brought kittens that piled over each other making friends with passersby. As before, the QPD served grilled hot dogs.
Quincy Police retirements leave big shoes to fill
QUINCY — There are some big shoes to fill at the Quincy Police Department. “We’re losing 48 years of experience between them,” Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green said at the retirement party for Capt. Jorge Trujillo and Det. Damon Powell Thursday. Trujillo, who grew up in Sunnyside, has been with QPD for 19 years, he said, coming on as a patrol officer fresh out of the military. From there he served as a field training officer, a detective and finally captain. “I consider him my left-hand man,” Green said. “He runs the operations side of the house … He knows the agency very well, and he knows the community.” Trujillo has some projects around the house to tackle now that he’s retired, he said.
Big fun on a small scale
Wheat Land Communities’ Fair opens Thursday
RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair isn’t as big or as flashy as some of the county fairs around central Washington, but the folks who keep it going like it just the way it is. “It’s somewhere you can go and get an old-time traditional feeling, and you’re comfortable letting your kids roam the grounds and experience all that it has to offer,” said Board Member Lori Williams. “It’s more of a feeling than (one) specific thing,” The fair starts Thursday in Ritzville and runs through Sunday. Starting Friday, the 56th Ritzville Rodeo will take place alongside the fair at the rodeo grounds. This year the entertainment budget was expanded, Williams said, to be able to offer more fun that’s covered by the cost of admission. For the kids, there’s face painting, balloon art, Lego crafts, races, contests and games. Children can also ride on a little train towed around the fairgrounds behind a tractor.