SENIOR EVENTS: August 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month AGO
Runners – and walkers – earn their colors at the Columbia Basin Health Association’s Color Run. This year’s event is Aug. 22.
FILE PHOTO
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake and Columbia Basin Conservation District will host a class in creating low-water-use heritage gardens Aug. 11.
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. | August 5, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — August is the month of the Grant County Fair, but there’s also plenty more happening in the Basin. Here are some ways to get out and about.
Aug. 5
Caring for Family Photographs
Join Museum Curator Ann Schempp to learn how to care for your photographs with proper storage and marking methods to make these memories last for generations. 6 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830.
Aug. 7
Coffee and Conversation
Every other month the Downtown Moses Lake Association hosts a different presentation from employees or business owners in Moses Lake. This is open to the public, and the coffee is free. 8:30 a.m. at the DMLA office, 205 S. Division St., Moses Lake. Info: [email protected] or 509-770-1700.
Aug. 8
Cloudview Summer Festival
A laid-back celebration of summer with vendor market, photos and kids’ activities. $5 for adults, children free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cloudview Farm, 17305 Frey Rd, Ephrata. Info: 509-754-2504.
Aug. 11
Heritage Garden Class
Learn about native plants, pollinators, and creative garden ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this class will offer valuable tips, education and inspiration. Hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake and Columbia Basin Conservation District. Free registration at https://bit.ly/HeritageGardenClass8-26. 5-6 p.m. at 903 W 3rd Ave, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4030.
Line Dance Lessons and Social Dancing
Low-key fun, great music and easy-to-follow instruction. Beginner-friendly lessons by Moonshine Line Dance move at a comfortable pace so everyone feels confident. Line dancing is a great way to stay active, improve balance, and enjoy music with friends. 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Moses Lake Senior Center, 608 E. Third Ave. Info: [email protected].
Aug. 14
Cowboy Breakfast
Kick off Grant County Fair week with breakfast and Pee Wee Stick Horse Rodeo hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. 7-10 a.m. at Moses Lake Elks Lodge, 217 N. Elder St. Info: 509-765-7888.
Aug. 15
Arts Quest
Arts Quest is an interactive arts adventure where creativity takes center stage. Designed for all ages, Arts Quest encourages participants to explore, create, and discover new artistic skills through fun, hands-on activities. Hosted by Columbia Basin Allied Arts and the Moses Lake Farmers Market. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at McCosh Park, 401 W. Fourth Ave, Moses Lake. Info: www.cba-arts.org.
Aug. 18-22
Grant County Fair
Carnival, livestock shows, entertainment, pro rodeo and more. Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.gcfair.fun.
Aug. 22
CBHA Run for a Cause
Join Columbia Basin Health Association for a colorful 5K run through Othello. Runners will get splashed with paint along the route for a messy, light-hearted experience. Funds raised support childhood wellness. 10 a.m. at the CBHA Othello clinic, 1515 E. Columbia St. Register at bit.ly/CBHA_ColorRunRegistration. Info: www.cbharunforacause.com.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake and Columbia Basin Conservation District will host a class in creating low-water-use heritage gardens Aug. 11.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.