BASIN EVENTS: April 17-25
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 3 weeks AGO
More than 60 employers will be at Big Bend Community College for the annual Job Fair Thursday.
FILE PHOTO
Quincy Valley Allied Arts presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” this weekend.
Cutting-edge technology will be on display at Big Bend Community College’s Mechatronics Meltdown Saturday.
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. | April 17, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — Is it spring or isn’t it? You’d never know by the way the weather has gone back and forth this month. Don’t let that stop you from getting out and doing things this week, though. Here are some things to check out:
April 17
Safe Kids, Strong Communities
Free family-friendly event in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Pizza, face painting, child safety education and hands-on activities for children of all ages and abilities, as well as prize giveaways. All children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. 3-7 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-764-8402.
Bring Your Own Book Club
Readers meet and have a guided discussion about participants’ various books and maybe discover a new book or genre. 5 p.m. at George Public Library, 403 S Washington Way. Info: 509-785-7043.
April 17-18
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
Quincy Valley Allied Arts presents the musical based on the Biblical story of Joseph. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday at Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit St. NE. Info and tickets: www.quincy-valley-allied-arts.org.
April 17-19
Youth Dynamics 30th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate 30 years of Christian outreach with three days of fun and fellowship. Alumni night, tours of the building, desserts and comedy by Bob Smiley. 106 E. Third Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-855-4095.
April 17-26
‘Around the World in 80 Days’
Masquers Theater presents the Jules Verne classic. Phileas Fogg has agreed to an outrageous wager that puts his fortune and his life at risk. With his resourceful servant Passepartout, Fogg sets out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. But his every step is dogged by a detective who thinks he’s a robber on the run. Danger, romance, and comic surprises abound in this whirlwind of a show as five actors portraying 39 characters traverse seven continents. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays at Masquers Theater, 322 Main Ave. E, Soap Lake. Info: www.masquers.com.
April 18
Free Kids Fishing Derby
For ages 0-14. Participants must bring their own equipment. Prizes for each age group, plus goody bags for the first 100 participants. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Coulee City Campground, N. Fourth St. Info: 509-633-3074.
Mechatronics Meltdown
Big Bend Mechatronics Club presents an opportunity for young folks to interact with some of the latest technology, including RC tractor obstacle course, drone tank laser tag, retro gaming, mini drones, and 3D printers. Free for all ages. 10 a.m. at Big Bend Community College, Building 3700, 7662 Chanute St. NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-793-2222.
Spring Bingo
Proceeds support Grange activities. Bingo cards $1. Snacks and baked goods available for purchase. 3 p.m. at Moses Lake Grange No. 1151, 14724 Road 3 SE. Info: 509-850-0242.
Music and Wine Straight from the Vine
Live music by Moses Lake saxophonist Doug Coutts. Wine and craft beer available, as well as local meats, cheese and Cornfusion Gourmet Popcorn. 7-9 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: camascovecellars.com or 509-750-4193.
Craft Collective: Custom Doormats
Unleash your inner crafter to relax, connect with others, and get creative making custom doormats. Craft materials available while supplies last. 6-7:30 p.m. at Othello Public Library, 125 E. Hemlock St. Info: 509-488-9683.
April 22
‘Scooby-Doo and Krypto, Too’
Free, child-friendly movie with free popcorn. 4 p.m. at Ritzville Public Library, 302 W. Main Ave. Info: 509- 659-1222.
April 23
Big Bend Job & Career Fair
More than 60 employers will be on campus for this free event. Network with companies, explore career options, and discover programs that can launch your future. Bring your résumé. Sponsored by Microsoft. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Big Bend Community College, 7662 Chanute Street NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-793-2222.
Big Bend Bingo Night
Fundraiser for Big Bend Community College Foundation. Sheriff Joey Kriete will call numbers, A-Crew BBQ will serve tacos, and Moses Lake Taproom will have beer and wine available. Prizes and silent auction. Bingo cards available with a suggested donation. 5 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.
April 24
Children’s Day
Get ready for a day full of smiles, laughter, and community spirit at the new stage area in Hund Memorial Park. Each child will receive a treat bag packed with goodies like snacks, candies, and fun surprises. 4 p.m. at Hund Memorial Park, Mattawa. Info: 509-932-4037.
Hiram B. Freedom and his Honky-Tonk Holy Ghost Revival
Live outlaw country music by the King of the Hillbilly Poets. 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Michael’s Market & Bistro, 221 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4177.
Voces de Esperanza Gala – Under the Stars
Enjoy an elegant evening featuring traditional Mexican music, authentic Mexican cuisine, an open bar, and more. Proceeds support Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation. Tickets $100 at unaz-gala.raiselysite.com. 6-9 p.m. at Quincy Business and Event Center, 115 F St. SW. Info: 509-289-7637.
Covenant Christian School Barbecue Dinner
Brisket and pulled pork dinner, live auction, silent auction and dessert auction. Proceeds support Christian education and help keep tuition costs low. $25 per place in advance, $30 at the door. 6-8 p.m. at Moses Lake Alliance Church, 1100 N. Grape Drive. Info: 509-762-9060.
April 25
Fr. Kerr Honorary Golf Tournament
Proceeds support St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. Lunch and cart included. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. at Moses Pointe Golf Course, 4524 Westshore Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.saintroseschool.org.
Touch a Truck
Fire trucks, police cars, heavy equipment and more for children to climb on and explore, plus face painting and raffle prizes. Hosted by MomCo. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Moses Lake Presbyterian Church, 1142 W. Ivy Ave. Info: themom.co.
Kids & Kites Festival
Come and fly kites at a fun, family-friendly event. 100 free kites for the first 100 children 10 and younger. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Lauzier Park, Quincy. Info: 509-393-6868.
Bee Hotels
Celebrate Earth Day by creating a bee hotel while learning about the interesting bee species they serve and their importance to the ecosystem. Bee hotels mimic the natural habitats of leafcutter and mason bees and provide shelter and nesting for further growth in population. The finished project is a tin can or wooden box filled with natural nesting materials that participants can hang in their yard, garden, or balcony. A limited amount of supplies will be available. 12-2 p.m. at Soap Lake Public Library, 32 Main Ave. E. Info: 509-246-1313.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: A Great Awakening (PG-13); Beast (R); Hoppers (PG); Project Hail Mary (PG-13); Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG); The Drama (R); The Mummy (R); You, Me and Tuscany (PG-13). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: The Mummy (R); Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Reminders of Him (PG-13) 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Quincy Valley Allied Arts presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” this weekend.
Cutting-edge technology will be on display at Big Bend Community College’s Mechatronics Meltdown Saturday.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.