BASIN EVENTS: July 10-18
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 3 weeks AGO
Summerfest will bring a parade, fireworks and more to Royal City Friday and Saturday.
FILE PHOTO
Singer-songwriter Yotes will perform at Michael’s Market and bistro in Moses Lake July 18.
The exhibit “Year of the Horse” will open Friday at Up Town Art Gallery in Moses Lake, with a meet-and-greet with the artists as well as karaoke and cowboy poetry.
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.
Singer-songwriter Yotes will perform at Michael’s Market and Bistro in Moses Lake July 18.
The exhibit “Year of the Horse” will open Friday at Up Town Art Gallery in Moses Lake, with a meet-and-greet with the artists as well as karaoke and cowboy poetry.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.