BASIN EVENTS: July 31-Aug. 31
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 31, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — Those lazy days of summer don’t have to be so lazy you can’t get out and enjoy some fun around the Basin. Here are a few ideas for August.
July 31
Open Mic
The stage is open to everyone, and of every skill level. Not only is it a great way to gain experience as a performer and test out new material, it’s a great way to learn to play with other musicians. 6 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: camascovecellars.com.
Aug. 1
World Breastfeeding Week Celebration
Learn about breastfeeding and community organizations that support breastfeeding in Grant County. Information, community resources, kids’ activities and prizes. Hosted by the Grant County Breastfeeding Coalition. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at McCosh Park, 401 W. Fourth Ave, Moses Lake. Info: 509-770-5081.
Free Family Saturday
Celebrate the joy of summer with a simple watercolor sunburst project. All materials are supplied. Free for all ages. 12-2- p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830 or moseslakemuseum.com.
Aug. 7
Coffee and Conversation
Every other month the Downtown Moses Lake Association hosts a different presentation from employees or business owners in Moses Lake. This is open to the public, and the coffee is free. 8:30 a.m. at the DMLA office, 205 S. Division St., Moses Lake. Info: [email protected] or 509-770-1700.
Aug. 8
Cloudview Summer Festival
A laid-back celebration of summer with vendor market, photos and kids’ activities. $5 for adults, children free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cloudview Farm, 17305 Frey Rd, Ephrata. Info: 509-754-2504.
Aug. 11
Car Seat Check
Make sure your little one is riding safely. Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will inspect your child’s car seat, help ensure it’s installed correctly and answer your questions. No appointment needed; just bring vehicle, car seat and child. Sponsored by Columbia Basin Health Association. 3-5 p.m. at 520 Government Road, Mattawa. Info: CBHA.org.
Heritage Garden Class
Learn about native plants, pollinators, and creative garden ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this class will offer valuable tips, education and inspiration. Hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake and Columbia Basin Conservation District. Free registration at https://bit.ly/HeritageGardenClass8-26. 5-6 p.m. at 903 W 3rd Ave, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4030.
Aug. 14
Cowboy Breakfast
Kick off Grant County Fair week with breakfast and Pee Wee Stick Horse Rodeo hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. 7-10 a.m. at Moses Lake Elks Lodge, 217 N. Elder St. Info: 509-765-7888.
Aug. 15
Arts Quest
Arts Quest is an interactive arts adventure where creativity takes center stage. Designed for all ages, Arts Quest encourages participants to explore, create, and discover new artistic skills through fun, hands-on activities. Hosted by Columbia Basin Allied Arts and the Moses Lake Farmers Market. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at McCosh Park, 401 W. Fourth Ave, Moses Lake. Info: www.cba-arts.org.
Aug. 18-22
Grant County Fair
Carnival, livestock shows, entertainment, pro rodeo and more. Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.gcfair.fun.
Aug. 22
CBHA Run for a Cause
Join Columbia Basin Health Association for a colorful 5K run through Othello. Runners will get splashed with paint along the route for a messy, light-hearted experience. Funds raised support childhood wellness. 10 a.m. at the CBHA Othello clinic, 1515 E. Columbia St. Register at bit.ly/CBHA_ColorRunRegistration. Info: www.cbharunforacause.com.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Hadestown: The Musical (Not rated); Minions and Monsters (PG); Moana (PG); Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); The Odyssey (R); Toy Story 5 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); Evil Dead Burn (R); The Odyssey (R). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Supergirl (PG-13) 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Cloudview Farms in Ephrata will host a Summer Festival Aug. 8, with vendors, kids’ activities and more.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Tapping into the sun
Quincy Solar project breaks ground
MOSES LAKE — The Quincy Solar Energy Center, Grant County’s first solar energy facility, broke ground Tuesday, with a ceremony attended by local officials, Grant PUD representatives and officials from Invenergy, the company building the site.
Hay now
Klompen Farms named Hay King and Queen at Grant County Fair
MOSES LAKE — Klompen Farms of Royal City is this year’s hay growing royalty. Owners Bob and Anne Wieldraayer were named Hay King and Queen at the Grant County Fair, winning both first and second place. The first-place ribbon was for the farm’s first cutting, which the Wieldraayers did on April 26. It was very early in the year to cut, Bob said, but he wasn’t going to be available for a while after that and wanted to get the cutting out of the way. “All that hay sold already,” Bob said. “There’s not a bale in the barn. It’s all gone.”
WA takes steps to make cosmetics safer
OLYMPIA — The products in your bathroom may not be as innocuous as they look. “One thing that's really shocking in general to people is that ingredients don't need to be approved before being used on the market,” said Shari Franjevic, who’s in charge of implementing the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act for the Washington Department of Ecology, in an interview with DOE Communications Specialist Michele Cole. “And this is the case in cosmetic ingredients. What happens then is that in reality we have ingredients in products on our shelves that can cause … cancer, effects on human development or our reproductive systems, our hormone systems, our immune systems, all of these things.”