BASIN EVENTS: July 3-11
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months 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
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.