BASIN EVENTS: December 2025
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 week 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 28, 2025 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — Now that the Thanksgiving turkey coma has passed, it’s time to get off the couch and start the December festivities. Here are some things happening this month.
Nov. 29
Museum & Community Center Breakfast Fundraiser
Biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and 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.
Downtown tree lighting
Ephrata’s holiday season begins with free hot cocoa and a brightly-lit tree. Hosted by the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. 4:30 p.m. at Ephrata Recreation Department, 112 Basin St. SW. Info: 509-717-0050.
Dec. 3
Royal Intermediate School Holiday Bazaar
Gifts, crafts, arts, treats and a visit from Santa. 4:30-7 p.m. at Royal Intermediate School, 6261 Road 12 SW, Royal City. Info: 509-346-2226.
Dec. 4
Classical Sounds of the Season
Classical selections for cello and piano by Kevin Hekmatpanah and Yoon-Wha Rhoh of the Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra, followed by a holiday sing-along. Sponsored by Central Basin Community Concert Association. 7 p.m. at the Big Bend Community College Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Pkwy NE, Moses Lake. Info and tickets: www.CommunityConcertsML.com.
Dec. 5
30th Moses Lake Ag Appreciation Parade and Street Party
Music and food, as well as photos with Santa, followed by a parade with trucks and farm equipment decked out in bright lights. Street party begins at 5 p.m., parade at 7 p.m. at Sinkiuse Square, Moses Lake. Info: www.downtownmoseslake.org.
Dec. 6
Farm Family Brunch
The Farm Family Brunch is a heartfelt celebration of our local farmers and their families — a time to relax, share stories, and enjoy a warm meal together. Kids will love meeting Santa and snapping festive photos to capture the holiday spirit. Sponsored by Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. 8 a.m. at Michael’s on the Lake, 910 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: www.moseslake.com.
Winter Holiday Bazaar
Find Christmas treasures for yourself or as gifts. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Community Church of Ephrata, 54 K St. SE. Info: 509-754-6130.
Merry Market and Tree Festival
The Moses Lake Farmers Market and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake combine Habitat’s Festival of Trees with a holiday market. Stroll through decorated trees and have photos with Santa, while exploring the market’s gifts and goodies. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-237-2100.
Handmade & Vintage Christmas Market at CCS
Handcrafted items from students and vintage finds from Pieces by Parrott, plus holiday-themed treats from the Associated Student Body. Proceeds go toward the school’s greenhouse fund. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Covenant Christian School, 1001 N. Grape Drive, Moses Lake. Info: 509-431-1879.
Winterfest
Holiday bazaar, library book sale, turkey bingo, hot coffee and cocoa. The fun starts at 10 a.m., and Santa will make his appearance at 4 p.m. in downtown Soap Lake. Info: www.soaplakecoc.com.
A Christmas Miracle on Main Street
This year’s theme is “Christmas in the Country,” so grab your cowboy boots and get ready for a festive, family-friendly celebration. Food vendors, craft vendors, petting zoo, reindeer experience and more, followed by a parade and tree lighting. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. at Othello City Hall, 500 E. Main St. Info: 509-331-6768.
Lake City Blues
Live unplugged music from the iconic Moses Lake blues band. Bring a friend or two and a pair of dancing shoes. Snacks, beer and wine available. 6:30 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 S.Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: 509-750-4193.
Dec. 7
Free Kids Ornament Making Night
Fun-filled afternoon for making Christmas ornaments, plus tree lighting and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. 4-6 p.m. at Highlighters Art Club, 504 W. Main St., Coulee City. Info: [email protected].
Community Christmas Concert
Quincy Valley Allied Arts Community Choir and Orchestra presents favorites of the season. Free admission with an item for the Quincy Food Bank. 6 p.m. at Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit St. Info: quincy-valley-allied-arts.org.
Dec. 11
Kids Hope Bingo Night
Support Kids Hope with a basket raffle and bingo. Tickets $5. 6 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.
Dec. 12
H.E. Gritman Senior Center Fundraising Breakfast
Enjoy a homemade breakfast of pancakes and sausage or biscuits and gravy and sausage. Cost is $7 and all ages are welcome. All proceeds go to support the activities at the Senior Center. 7-10 a.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’
The children of Mars are watching too much Earthling TV, so their elders kidnap Santa Claus in this 1964 campy classic film. Pre-film activities include a graham cracker house building station, cosmic iceball toss and more. Ugly sweaters encouraged. Free for the whole family. Presented by Columbia Basin Allied Arts. Activities begin at 6 p.m., movie begins at 7 p.m. at Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: www.cba-arts.org.
Celtic Christmas Celebration
Violinist Geoffrey Castle’s “Celtic Christmas” program will feature the Geoffrey Castle Celtic Band, Irish tenor Dan Connolly, singer Emily McIntosh, bagpiper Don Scobie and the Seattle Irish Dance Company. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-514-3849. 7 p.m. at the Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Parkway NE, on the Big Bend Community College campus. Info: www.ChristmasInWashington.com.
Dec. 13
Bells on Basin
Ephrata pulls out the stops for this community holiday celebration, starting with breakfast with Santa and finishing with a lighted Christmas parade. Activities for children and adults throughout the day. Sponsored by the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. 509-717-0050.
Dec. 14
Marlin Handbell Choir
Experience the enchanting sound of 100 English handbells, bringing beloved holiday classics to life. The concert will conclude with a fun sing-along, inviting all to join in the festive cheer. Don't miss this special holiday experience – perfect for family and friends to enjoy together. Admission is by donation. Cookie decorating at 1 p.m., concert begins at 3 p.m. at the George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
Ladies Christmas Tea
Theme is “A Weary World Rejoices.” Appetizers, tea, and good conversation. Guest speaker is Pastor Bridget Bern of Spokane Bethel Church of the Nazarene. All ladies welcome. RSVP by Dec. 3 to [email protected]. 4:30 p.m. at Moses Lake Nazarene Church, 422 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-765-4343.
Dec. 17
Create & Cackle
Do you like to make stuff? Do you have an unfinished project? Want to just hang out and finish a project? Just drop in, have a drink and a snack and create. Knitting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, perler beading, coloring, painting, origami or basket-weaving – the only limit is what you bring. Bring your own project and drinks/snacks and hang out with like-minded individuals. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.
Dec. 18
Singo
Singo is a new and exciting musical spin on the traditional game of Bingo. Instead of listening for a number, players are listening to their favorite music. Each player receives a free Singo card printed with the titles of popular songs. While Singo randomly plays song clips, players can sing along and mark matching song titles on their cards. The first player to mark five songs in a row and to shout "Singo" wins the round. Admission is free and prizes will be awarded. 6 p.m. at the Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.
Dec. 21
Nazarene Gift Drive
Do you have toys and books taking up space at your house, or need gifts for children because money is tight? Volunteers from Moses Lake Nazarene Church will get them set up and ready for families to “shop” for the perfect gift for their children at no cost. Gifts should be in ready-to-use condition. Church members will supply cocoa, cookies and some gift-wrapping supplies. Toys can be dropped off 2-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday at Moses Lake Nazarene Church, 422 S. Balsam St., until the day of the swap. 3-6 p.m. at U Rock Ranch, 465 Road T NE Warden. Info: 509-765-4343 or moseslakenazarene.org.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (PG-13); Predator Badlands (PG-13); The Running Man (R); Wicked: For Good (PG); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Zootopia 2 (PG); Wicked: For Good (PG); Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (R). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Soul on Fire (PG). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Moses Lake teachers march downtown
MOSES LAKE — Teachers from across Moses Lake marched from Sinkiuse Square to Frontier Middle School Thursdayin support of the Moses Lake Education Association’s work stoppage. The teachers stayed at Frontier while a band played at Carl Ahlers Park across the street and passing motorists honked. The teachers had been on strike for four days while the union negotiates a new contract with the Moses Lake School District.
Mini-farm for sale has deep Grant County roots
SOAP LAKE — There’s a little piece of history in the mini-farm for sale east of Soap Lake. “It’s been with the same owner since the 1930s,” said Anna Van Diest of Moses Lake Realty Group, who is listing the 25.19-acre property at 20226 NE Adrian Road, just south of SR 28. The well, still in use, was dug in 1931, she added, more than two decades before the Columbia Basin Project brought irrigation water to the Basin. There’s not much left now of the town of Adrian, but if things had gone a little differently in 1910, the Grant County Courthouse might have been located where the farm now stands. When Grant County was formed out of the eastern part of Douglas County in 1909, the city of Ephrata, then just over 300 people, was named the county seat. The people of Adrian got up a petition the following year to grab the county seat away, according to the Washington history site historylink.org, but were defeated in a 945-802 vote. A few remnants of the town and the railroad cutoff nearby are still visible from the road or in aerial photos.
‘People connector’
Small business mentor Allan Peterson prepares to retire
MOSES LAKE — Allan Peterson is hanging it up after more than two decades of helping the little guy find success. “(We) really appreciate all that he has done for Grant County,” Grant County Economic Development Council Director Brant Mayo said. “He’s been an unsung hero of the growth in this area.”

