EVENTS: July 17-25, 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 3 weeks 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 17, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — We’re near the halfway point of the summer, and there’s still no shortage of things to do this year. Here are some ways to get out and about.
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.
July 21
Candidate forum
Meet the people running for public office in your community this year. All contested candidates with three or more in their race have been invited to attend. Sponsored by Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Basin Herald. 6 p.m. at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, 900 E. Yonezawa Blvd., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4561.
July 22
Kids’ Karaoke
Calling all young singers! Here’s your chance to enjoy music, build confidence, and create superstar moments. No experience needed for kids to take the stage in the Civic Center Auditorium and sing their favorite hits, from Disney classics to today’s pop favorites. Every participant will be given a chance to sing, and we recommend coming with a few song selections already in mind. 4 p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830.
July 23
Caring for Family Photographs
Join Museum Curator Ann Schempp to learn how to care for your photographs with proper storage and marking methods to make these memories last for generations. 6 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830.
July 25
Christmas in July at the Market
Who says you have to wait until December for holiday cheer? Stroll through decorated vendor booths, shop amazing local makers and growers, enjoy holiday-themed fun, festive music, sweet treats, and surprises for the whole family. Wear your favorite Christmas shirt, Santa hat, or holiday outfit. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Moses Lake Farmers Market, McCosh Park, 401 W. Fourth Avenue. Info: www.farmersmarketml.com.
Fairgrounds Community Cleanup Day
Help prep the fairgrounds for the 2026 Grant County Fair. Painting, landscaping, cleaning, organizing and more. Projects for all skill levels. The fairgrounds will host lunch for all volunteers. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-3581.
Autism Swims
Come enjoy an evening of swimming, fun, and connection in a welcoming and supportive environment. This special event gives autism families the opportunity to enjoy the water together with less crowding and a more comfortable atmosphere. Hosted by Autism Support Group of Grant County. Bring your swimsuits, towels, and smiles. 6-8 p.m. at Splash Zone, 780 A St./ SE, Ephrata. Info: grantcountyautism.org.
Comedy on the Columbia with Sam Miller
From Olympia, Sam is 6-foot-6, and 360 pounds with two kids, one of them on purpose. He’s been married for 10 years, and has been clean and sober for 15 years. Sam likes to make jokes about what it’s like to be a sober parent and what jail is like in Yakima. 8 p.m. at Tower Pizza and Sunworks at Crescent Bar, 8995 Crescent Bar Road NW, Quincy.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Evil Dead Burn (R); Minions and Monsters (PG); Moana (PG); Obsession (R); The Odyssey (R); Supergirl (PG-13); Toy Story 5 (PG); Young Washington (PG-13). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Hop (PG). Free movie, July 21 only. See othelloshowhouse.com for details.
Ritz Theater: Disclosure Day (PG-13) 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center will host a class on how to preserve family photos July 23.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Members Exhibition opens Friday at museum
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center’s annual Members Exhibition will open Friday, according to an announcement from the museum. The exhibition will kick off with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at the museum, according to the announcement. There will be live music and light refreshments, and an opportunity to meet some of the artists. The reception is free and open to the public.
‘A day full of chaos’
Silly golf tournament serves a serious purpose
WARDEN — In its fourth year, the "Dude, Where’s My Cart?" golf tournament has taken off in a big way. “We opened (entries) in August for the tournament,” said organizer Karisti Cox. “We opened up on a Monday, and by Thursday we were sold out.” "Dude, Where’s My Cart?" is a blast of silliness for a serious purpose: raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association. Golfers have to play with a one-third-size club, or with glasses that throw off hand-eye coordination, or while sitting on a toilet. The challenges are meant to mirror difficulties that dementia patients face. The tournament originally had a limit of 20 teams, because that was how many carts were available, Cox said, but three more teams brought their own carts to get a chance to play.
‘Mansion on the Hill’
Brookdale Hearthstone marks 40 years of serving seniors
MOSES LAKE — The Mansion on the Hill, as employees and residents call it, marked its 40th birthday Oct. 15. “This is a celebration not only for the families that have been served by assisted living, but also of those who have been able to keep the lights on and the kids fed because they were able to work here,” said Karisti Cox, living sales specialist at Brookdale Hearthstone. Brookdale Hearthstone celebrated with a full-blown gala, including sandwiches, a chocolate fountain and a visit from some of the people who were there at the outset: assisted living pioneer Jerry Erwin and Hearthstone’s first administrator, Sara Milbrandt.