BASIN EVENTS Aug. 14-22
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 weeks, 6 days 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. | August 14, 2026 3:20 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — The third week in August is coming up, and we all know what that means: the Grant County Fair, Miner Services Demo Derby and Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo. But that’s not all that‘s happening this week. Check out these options.
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. 14-15
Summer Cleanup
Mattawa-area residents, including Beverly, Schwana and Desert Aire can dispose of tree and bush trimmings, appliances, furniture, and other unwanted junk. Cost ranges from $5 for a small trailer load to $40 for a vehicle with a large trailer. Tires will be accepted for an additional cost. One load per residence and proof of residency will be required. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 710 First St., Mattawa. Info: www.cityofmattawa.com.
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.
Live Music: Flowers for Wolves
Flowers for Wolves is a harmony-driven acoustic duo blending the soul of modern country, the storytelling of indie-folk and the grit of Americana. 8 p.m. at Tower Pizza and Sunworks at Crescent Bar, 8995 Crescent Bar Road NW, Quincy. Info: 509-787-0102.
Aug. 18
Know Your Rights
Free bilingual Labor and Industries workshop where you will learn about your rights as a worker and receive resources if you are facing workplace issues. 5:30 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
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. 19
Create & Cackle
Join fellow artists, makers and creatives to hang out and finish that project you’ve been working on. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.
Aug. 20
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 or while supplies last. Provided by Second Harvest Tri-Cities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Bethel Assembly of God, 915 S 1st Ave, Othello. Info: 2-harvest.org.
Aug. 22
Community Shred Day and Food Drive
Protect your personal information and support the Moses Lake Food Bank at the same time. Bring up to three boxes of documents to be disposed of securely. Bring a nonperishable food donation for the food bank and shred an additional box. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or until the truck is full, at Solarity Credit Union, 411 E. Fifth Ave., Moses Lake. Info: www.solaritycu.org.
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.
Science Saturday
Exciting, hands-on science class where kids will explore, experiment, and investigate the science all around us. Through interactive activities and simple experiments, students will discover how science connects to everyday life while building curiosity and critical thinking skills. All materials are provided. For ages 6-13. $15 per session. 10:30 a.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Arts Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830 or moseslakemuseum.com.
Lind Community Street Dance
Dancing and fun for all ages, plus food vendors. 6-10 p.m. outside the Lind Lions Club, 108 E. First St. Info: 509-347-6696.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Brink of War (PG); End of Oak Street (PG-13); Minions and Monsters (PG); Moana (PG); The Odyssey (R); One Night Only (R); Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (PG); Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); Super Troopers 3 (R); Toy Story 5 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for showtimes.
The Showhouse: Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (PG); Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); The End of Oak Street (PG-13). See othelloshowhouse.com for showtimes.
Ritz Theater: The Odyssey (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Flowers for Wolves will perform Saturday at Tower Pizza and Sunworks in Crescent Bar.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.