BASIN EVENTS: July 10-18
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 hours, 29 minutes 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 10, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — Whether you soak up the sun or the air conditioning, there’s something happening to suit you in the Basin this week. Check these out.
July 10
‘Year of the Horse’
Opening reception for equine-themed art exhibition. Meet the artists and enjoy karaoke, cowboy poetry and more. 5-7 p.m. at Up Town Art Gallery, 301 W. Broadway Ave., Ste. A, Moses Lake. Info: https://bit.ly/UpTownGalleryML.
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.
July 10-13
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 13
‘Moses Lake: Journey Through Time’ Book Signing
Author Shawn Curtis will sign copies of his book tracing the history of Moses Lake. 1-3 p.m. at the Moses Lake Library, 415 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-765-3489.
July 13-16
Extreme Drum Set Camp
Supercharge your drumming at the Extreme Drum Set Camp. Learn drum grooves, fills, tips and tricks to improve your drumming. During the camp, you will be part of a massive drum set circle where you will upgrade your skill and technique through hands-on drumming activities. You will need drumsticks, a drum set (optional) and a desire to groove. For students 11 and older. 12-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday at BBCC Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Pkwy NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.bigbend.edu.
July 15
Create & Cackle
Do you like to make stuff? Do you have a project unfinished? Want to just hang out and finish a project? Just drop in, have a drink and a snack and create. Knitting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, perler beading, coloring, painting, origami or basket-weaving – the only limit is what you bring. Bring your own project and drinks/snacks and hang out with like-minded individuals. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.
July 16
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 1st Ave, Othello. Info: 2-harvest.org.
Santa’s Summer Bash
For one unforgettable evening, Santa is swapping snow for sunshine and inviting you to celebrate with food, tropical cocktails, island-inspired music, interactive photo experiences and a few surprises. Hawaiian and resort-casual attire is encouraged. Proceeds support the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation. 6-8 p.m. at Michael’s Market and Bistro, 221 W. Broadway, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4177.
July 18
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. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-771-7634.
Ram and Ewe Sale
Buy or sell a wide variety of breeds from some of the top producers in the Northwest. Hosted by Washington State Sheep Producers. 1:30 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.wssp.org.
Live music by Yotes
Yotes combines his rich baritone vocals with an energetic delivery, playing a mix of songs from 1950s country, 1980s neo-rockabilly, modern Americana and many genres and eras in between. Old favorites are interspersed with some of his favorite songs by friends and up-and-coming artists he’s met through the years. 6 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.
This weekend at the movies
Fairchild Cinemas: Disclosure Day (PG-13); Evil Dead Burn (R); Minions and Monsters (PG); Moana (PG); Obsession (R); Supergirl (PG-13); Toy Story 5 (PG); Young Washington (PG-13). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Minions and Monsters (PG); Moana (PG). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Pressure (PG-13) 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Drought prospects looking dire this year, experts say
The question isn’t whether we’ll have a drought in the Inland Northwest this summer, according to regional experts. It’s just a question of how bad it will get.
Achieving the dream
Catholic Charities brings homeownership into the realm of the possible
MOSES LAKE — Catholic Charities Housing Services, based in Yakima, operates multi-family housing in 19 communities including Moses Lake, George, Royal City, Warden and Mattawa. Some of those residential properties are for seniors, some for farmworkers, some for anyone who needs an apartment to rent. But for those residents who are ready to move beyond renting, CCHS has programs to help them get into a home of their own. “We have two different models that allow families access to homeownership opportunities,” CCHS Vice President and Director of Housing Services Bryan Ketcham said. “They're both sweat equity-based, a component where there's buy in and commitment from the families.”
Improv camp coming to Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake students can immerse themselves in the world of improvisational theater at a new camp coming in August. “It’s an entry point for 7- to 18-year-olds into theater and improv comedy,” said Columbia Basin Allied Arts Director Shawn Cardwell. “They’ll go through the games and the thought processes behind improv acting.” The week-long camp, called Yes, And Academy, will take students through four different classes with multiple instructors, where they’ll learn scene work, devising, improv fundamentals, and performance through fun, interactive improv games and exercises, according to an announcement from CBAA, which is collaborating with MG Teams of Spokane to produce the camp. Students will get to explore a variety of games and activities tailored to their age group, according to the announcement. Classes will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, with a lunch break. Students should bring their own lunch, according to the announcement.

