SENIOR EVENTS: June 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 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
Veterans Day events around the Basin
MOSES LAKE — Today is Veterans Day, a time to celebrate those who served in the armed forces and returned home to the country they risked everything for. Here are some ways to honor the heroes among us.
Combined dream
Friends band together to open Level 10 Salon
MOSES LAKE — Hope became reality recently for two Moses Lake beauty professionals. “We had a dream of owning a salon ourselves,” said Erin Walker, owner of Level 10 Salon with her friend Shanna Hampshire. “Then we became best friends, and our separate dreams became our combined dream.” Walker and Hampshire had discussed the possibility of owning a salon together for years, Walker said, but the time was just never right, so they kept working away in different salons until the location on West Third Avenue fell into their laps. They opened for business about a month ago, Walker said, and on Tuesday cut the ribbon, accompanied by their families, which include four children apiece, and ambassadors from the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.
‘Auction Royale’
St. Rose of Lima fundraiser brings the 007 vibe
EPHRATA — The St. Rose of Lima Catholic School auction was well attended Saturday night. “Before people who bought the day of, we were at 275 (registered attendees),” said Nick Moore, who was selling raffle cards for $100 a pop. “There are 120 families in the school, so that’s more than double the number of parents.” The theme was “007 Auction Royale,” and many attendees were decked out in their James Bond-iest tuxes and black dresses. “People love to dress up, any excuse,” said Jennifer Hickok, one of the event’s organizers and a member of the St. Rose PTO. “There’s a suit coat with tails. I haven’t seen one of those since prom.”