SENIOR EVENTS: June 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 1 week 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. | June 2, 2026 3:15 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — The sun is shining; the birds are singing, and there’s lots of fun out there for seniors in the Basin. Here are a few things to check out.
June 3
Line Dance Lessons and Social Dancing
Two and a half hours of high-energy fun, great music and easy-to-follow instruction in a lively downtown atmosphere. Beginner-friendly or intermediate lessons by Moonshine Line Dance. No partner needed. $10 per person. 6:30-9 p.m. every Wednesday at Rick’s Eatery, 817 W. Third Ave., Moses Lake. Info: [email protected].
June 10
Senior Picnic
Enjoy lunch, live music and prize giveaways and meet local businesses that offer senior services. A shuttle from the parking lot to the event will be provided. Free to seniors 55 and older, $5 for family members and caregivers. Hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with lunch served at 12 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.moseslake.com.
June 11
Lind Field Day
Tour the ongoing research projects at the Washington State University Lind Dryland Research Station. Hosted lunch and ice cream social. Free and open to the public. 8:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at 781 E. Experiment Station Road, Lind. Info and directions: lindstation.wsu.edu.
June 12-13
Sage-N-Sun
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the Ephrata sunshine. Live music, parade, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, family activities and more. Hosted by Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. Info: www.ephratachamber.org.
Lind Combine Demolition Derby
Watch farm equipment battle it out in the arena. Car and truck races, parades, barbecue and beer garden, as well as the renowned combine demo derby. Lind Lions Club Arena, 2709 E. Second St., Lind. Info: www.lindcombinederby.com.
June 12-14
Rastelli Circus
Thrilling stunts, laughs, and jaw-dropping talent perfect for the whole family, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: RastelliCircus.com.
June 13
Little Big Show
Car show with vendors, food and more. 8 a.m. in downtown Wilson Creek. Info: www.thelittlebigshow.com.
‘The Sugar Kingdom’: A Dance Show’
Lollipops, Jolly Ranchers, gummy bears, and more will take the stage to tell the story of beloved magic dance shoes. Presented by Royalty Dance Studio. 3 and 6 p.m. at Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit St. NE. Info: 253-888-5665 or royaltydancestudio.com.
June 14
Flag Day Social
Bring your family, friends, and lawn chairs as we kick off summer together and honor our nation’s flag with the community. Flag ceremony, barbecue, ice cream and a visit from the Quincy Valley Historical Society’s “Journey to Philadelphia 1776.” Hosted by Veterans Operation Creation. 12-2 p.m. at Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum, 415 F St SW, Quincy. Info: veteransoperationcreation.com.
June 19
Soap Lake Food & Folk Festival
Live music, local food, workshops, craft vendors, family activities, and community gathering. Hosted by Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee in partnership with Cloudview Farm and Soap Lake Creative District. Free and open to all ages. Soap Lake Creative District Friday, Cloudview Farms Saturday. Info: tinyurl.com/solawafff.
H.E. Gritman Senior Center Rummage Sale
A wide variety of items to choose from. Prices are by donation. Proceeds support the H.E. Gritman Senior Center. 3 p.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
Beginning Tunisian Crochet
Beginner class for those with at least some crocheting knowledge. Participants will make a small kitchen towel. Hosted by 2 Broke Crochet Dudes. Tickets and info: https://bit.ly/Crochet0626.
June 20
Family Picnic Day
Enjoy a day packed with activities and entertainment for all ages. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Downtown Moses Lake Association. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Neppel Landing, 104 S. Alder St., Moses Lake. Info: downtownmoseslake.org.
Caddyshack Par-Tee
Come dressed in your best plaid or golf themed attire and support Soroptimist International of Moses Lake. Dinner, silent auction, live auction and raffle, followed by dancing under the stars. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/SIMLAuction26 Doors open at 5 p.m. at Pillar Rock Grill, 1373 Road F.2 NE, Moses Lake. Info: moseslakesoroptimist.com.
June 25
‘Operation Petticoat’
Screening of the classic comedy about a World War II submarine crew that rescues a group of stranded nurses and must navigate chaos, comedy and a pink-painted sub. 2 p.m. at the Ephrata Senior Center, 124 C St. NW. Info: www.ephrataseniorcenter.org.
June 26
2nd Annual Flock Cancer Walk
Follow the flamingo-lined trail along the Gavinski Trail through Neppel Landing and back, cheered on by volunteers and a live DJ. $25 registration fee and a percentage of sales will go to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, Register at https://bit.ly/MLFlockCancer26. Info: 509-707-0192.
June 27
Open Mic
Fun for all ages. Food available by donation. 5-7 p.m. at Soap Lake Community and Senior Center, 121 Second Ave. SE. Info: 509-246-1913.
The annual Moses Lake Senior Picnic will celebrate America’s 250th birthday a little early, on June 10.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
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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.