BASIN EVENTS: April 24-May 31
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 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. | April 24, 2026 3:15 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — We’re swinging into May and there are festivals, a rodeo, live performances and more. Here are a few possibilities.
April 24
Children’s Day
Get ready for a day full of smiles, laughter, and community spirit at the new stage area in the 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.
Othello Museum Grand Reopening
The Othello Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the opening of the museum for the season. Tour the museum, check out the renovations and see a brand-new exhibit. Ribbon-cutting 12:30 p.m., museum opens at 1 p.m. at 250 E. Larch St. Info: othellomuseum.org.
April 30
Disciple in concert
Youth Dynamics Moses Lake presents Christian hard rock/metal band Disciple. Tickets $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert starts at 7 p.m. at Generations Church, 431 Brown Ave., Moses Lake. Tickets and info: bit.ly/DiscipleML26.
May 1
Spring Market
Shop local vendors for homemade yard art, fresh pies, antiques, outdoor furniture and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at RNR Garden Creations, 4101 Dunn St. NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-989-4352.
May 2
Mother’s Day Tea
An afternoon of singing songs, a refreshing message and games. Lunch and tea will be provided. 12 p.m. at Lind Community Church, 114 E. Fifth St. Info: 509-750-5672.
May 7
Ladies Night Out – Mother’s Day Edition
This special evening is all about bringing the community together for a fun night downtown featuring exclusive specials, local shopping, and unique experiences hosted by participating businesses and vendors. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a head start on Mother’s Day, whether you’re shopping for the moms in your life or simply enjoying a well-deserved night out. No charge. Sponsored by Downtown Moses Lake Association. 5-8 p.m. at 205 S. Division St., Moses Lake. Info: downtownmoseslake.org.
May 9
St. Rose of Lima Coconut Crawl
Participants run, walk or hula their way through our 1 mile or 5K race option. Participants are awarded a finisher lei. Food available from local vendors. 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, 520 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata. Info: www.saintroseschool.org.
Quincy Public Market Popup and Car Show
Vendors, food and classic vehicles of all kinds. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1004 F. St. SE, Quincy. Info: 509-794-3445.
May 14
Mobile Market
Free drive-thru for fresh and nonperishable items. No appointment or paperwork needed – just come by if you need a hand. Limited to 250 families. Provided by Second Harvest Tri-Cities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bethel Assembly of God, 915 S. First Ave., Othello. Info: 2-harvest.org.
May 16
Community Bike Repair Event
Bring your bike, get repairs and learn maintenance skills. Basic repairs done for free. For ages 5-16. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Othello Christian Church, 915 E. Rainier St. Info: 509-488-2208.
The Wicked Pickles
Moses Lake cover band featuring a mix of ’80s and classic rock, with a little country, pop, and alternative sprinkled in. 7-11 p.m. at Columbia Basin Eagles Lodge No. 2622, 1517 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-3312.
May 21
Friends of the Moses Lake Library Book Sale
Peruse through gently used books and take home a new treasure for your home library. Proceeds go to help fund library programs. 2-6 p.m. at the Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-771-7634.
May 21-24
Spring Fest
Moses Lake’s biggest blowout of the year. Carnival, parades, car show, 3-on-3 basketball tournament and more. Info: www.springfestinmoseslake.com.
May 22-24
Last Stand Rodeo
PRCA rodeo plus Cow Pie Jog, mutton bustin’, Cowboy Breakfast and parade. Coulee City Rodeo Grounds, 505 E. Walnut St., Coulee City. Info: laststandrodeo.com.
May 25
Dimestore Prophets
Live music by local band. 8 p.m. at Sporty’s Bar & Grill, 507 E. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: sportysml.com.
May 27
Mobile Market
Free drive-thru for fresh and nonperishable items. No appointment or paperwork needed – just come by if you need a hand. Limited to 250 families. Provided by Second Harvest Tri-Cities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at 22818 SR 17 N., Soap Lake. Info: 2-harvest.org.
May 29
Restore City Church Youth Auction
Dinner and live and silent auction to fund youth trip to National Youth Conference. Tickets $20 per person or $35 for a couple. Child care available by donation. 6 p.m. at Restore City Church, 2227 W. Peninsula Drive, Moses Lake. Info: restorecity.church.
May 30
Sludgefest
Heavy metal music festival featuring Merlock, Sawdust, The Velvet Helmets and more. All ages welcome. 12 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: camascovecellars.com.
‘Aladdin’
A magical tale told with ballet, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop dance. Presented by Ballet Academy of Moses Lake. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/AladdinBalletML26. 1 and 6 p.m. at Moses Lake High School, 803 E. Sharon Ave. Info: balletacademyml.com.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: A Great Awakening (PG-13); Fuze (R); Hoppers (PG); Michael (PG-13); Project Hail Mary (PG-13); Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG); 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); Michael (PG-13); Animal Farm (PG); The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Project Hail Mary (PG-13) 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The Downtown Moses Lake Association will hold a Ladies Night Out May 7.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.