BASIN EVENTS: July 3-11
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. | July 3, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN – This weekend will be loaded with Fourth of July observances in most of our communities, and then there’s plenty more happening afterward. Here are some things to check out.
July 3
Hometown Heroes
Ritzville celebrates America’s 250th with live music, vendors, twilight parade and fireworks. Info and schedule: www.ritzvilleunited.org.
Red, White and Boom
Moses Lake starts the festivities a day early with the 133d Army National Guard band, followed by fireworks. 7:30 p.m. at McCosh Park. Info: 509-764-3820.
First Friday Jam
Anyone with an instrument can come and play; anyone with ears can come and listen. 7-9 p.m. at George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
July 3-4
Mattawa Independence Day
Fun run, 3-on-3 basketball tournament and live music from Highway 18 Band Friday. Flag raising at Hurd Park Saturday morning, followed by volleyball tournament, kids’ games and crafts and a golf cart parade Saturday, finished off with fireworks at Desert Aire Park. Info: 509-932-4037.
July 4
Suds n’ Sun
Soap Box Derby, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, live music, games and a car show, capped off with a parade and fireworks. All day at downtown and East Beach Park, Soap Lake. Info: soaplakecoc.org.
Fourth at George
The town named for the Father of our Country will host festivities all day, including fun run, parade, patriotic program and the world’s largest cherry pie. The Quincy Valley Historical Society will bring its American History Mobile Museum, and Jeremy McComb’s Honky-Tonk Circus will perform, sponsored by Veterans Operation Creation. Fireworks at dusk. Info and full schedule: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
America 250
Food and commercial vendors, car show, parade and fireworks. 11 a.m. at Lions Park, 890 E Hamlet St, Othello. Info: 509-488-2683.
Lind Community Potluck
Bring your favorite dish and favorite yard game. Bean bag toss, potato sack races and lots of food. 5-8 p.m. at Lind City Park. Info: 509-347-6696 or lindwachamber.wixsite.com.
Wilson Creek Fireworks Show
All-volunteer celebration. 9 p.m. at Wilson Creek Ball Park, Railroad Street. Info: 509-770-1728.
July 5
Eric Link
Live music from singer-songwriter Eric Link. Link plays both familiar hits and original music on guitar, mandolin and dobro. 7-9 p.m. at Tower Pizza, 8995 Crescent Bar Rd NW, Quincy. Info and reservations: 509-787-0102.
July 6
Beyond Boundaries: College Conversations
Big Bend Community College and SkillSource are teaming up for this free college assistance event. Whether you’re a high school student, recent graduate or adult thinking about college, these events are designed to help you take the next step. Drop in for one-on-one support with college applications, financial aid (FAFSA/WASFA) and scholarship applications. No registration required, just stop by. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
July 9
Singo
Singo is a variation 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.
July 9-13
American Crown Circus
Step into the big top for a family-friendly circus with music, aerial performances, cotton candy, popcorn, photo fun, and a huntrix in the air. K-pop-style attire encouraged but not necessary. 7:30-10:30 at Hund Memorial Park, 101 Government Road, Mattawa. Info: americancrowncircus.com.
July 10
Mark Dubbeld Family in concert
Patriotic and gospel music by a family quartet. Free for all ages. 7 p.m. at Moses Lake Nazarene Church, 422 S. Balsam St. Info: www.moseslakenazarene.org.
July 10-11
Summerfest
Royal City’s community festival features a car show, touch-a-truck, goat tying, food, vendors, a parade and fireworks. 6 p.m. Friday-10 p.m. Saturday at Lions Park, Royal City. Info: www.royalcitysummerfest.org.
QVHS Camelot Quest
Free summer adventures for kids at the Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum. Medieval merriment with knights, castles, dragons, kings and queens. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 415 F St. SW, Quincy. Info: 509-787-4685.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Backrooms: Everything Must Go Edition with Bonus Footage (R); Disclosure Day (PG-13); Jackass: Best and Last (R); Minions and Monsters (PG); Obsession (R); Supergirl (PG-13); Toy Story 5 (PG); Young Washington (PG-13). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Supergirl (PG-13); Toy Story 5 (PG); Minions and Monsters (PG). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Closed for Fourth of July. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Eric Link will perform at Tower Pizza in Crescent Bar July 5.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Library activities for August 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — Summer winds down in August, and so do summer reading programs. Here’s what’s happening at libraries in the Basin. All activities are at the library unless otherwise indicated.
Basin vets honored with quilts
MOSES LAKE — Some Basin veterans were honored Monday, not with medals or a parade, but with quilts. “Many people see beautiful quilts and admire the colors and patterns and stitching, but it is much more than fabric and thread,” said Jenn Tincher, who leads Soap Lake Freedom Quilts of Valor. “Every quilt represents countless hours of planning, cutting, piecing, quilting, binding, labeling and praying. It carries with it the hands and the hearts of us volunteers who may never have served in the military ourselves, but we want to thank you and let you know that your sacrifices have not been forgotten. Each stitch is a reminder that someone cares, someone remembers you and someone is very grateful for what you have done.” Quilts of Valor met at Grace Harvest Church in Moses Lake to present quilts to 13 Basin veterans, of whom seven were able to be present. The quilts’ designs were varied: some were simple triangle or square patterns; others had flag motifs. One quilt had stars and stripes surrounding a bald eagle with a U.S. flag behind him. Each had been created by a team of seven ladies from the area who collaborate to pick the patterns, cut the fabric and assemble them. Those are matched up with veterans who either are nominated by somebody local or reach out through the organization’s website. Once 10 or so veterans have been nominated, the quilters hold a ceremony where the
Warden library hosts Mexican dance show
WARDEN — The dancers of Warden’s Ballet Folklórico Viva México performed at the Warden Library Thursday afternoon, entertaining one of the largest crowds a library event has drawn, said Librarian Jean Boersma. “We were pushing 100,” Boersma said. “They just kept coming.” About 15 dancers of wide-ranging ages and sizes demonstrated traditional moves from Mexico on the library lawn, in both denim shorts and skirts and full, flowing dresses in bright colors. The audience sat or stood in the shade of the tree on the library lawn, many of them holding up phones to capture the moment on video. After each dance, one dancer would shout, “Viva Mexico!” and the dancers would enthusiastically respond, “Viva!”