BASIN EVENTS: June 6-13
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month 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 5, 2026 3:45 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — The sun is shining, flowers are blooming and the Basin is bubbling with fun things to do. Here are a few suggestions.
June 6
Quincy Farmers Market Opening Day
Fresh produce, baked goods, crafts and more, plus live entertainment, kids’ games and a scavenger hunt. 9 a.m. at Lauzier Park, 1600 13th Ave. SW, Quincy. Info: [email protected].
Free Family Saturday: Garden Stone Cookie Decorating
Participants will decorate cookies to look like a garden stone. Mix a little Oreo with a little white frosting, and you have your “concrete” base. Add some M&M's and/or Starburst as your “mosaic” tiles, and you have a cute, tasty treat. Supplies provided until they run out. 12 p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830.
June 7
Hands on the Mural
Kids are invited to come put their handprints on the mural, and make it look like a full meadow of wildflowers. Hosted by Its Arty Time. 3-6 p.m. at the Old Hotel Art Gallery, 343 Larch St., Othello. Info: 509-793-8424.
June 8
Summer Bash at the Lighthouse
Celebrate the end of the school year with hot dogs and chips, Italian soda and lemonade, raffles and family-friendly activities. 3:30 p.m. at Lighthouse Community Center, 705 E. Juniper St., Othello. Info: lighthousecc.one.
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.
Sip & Chat
ArtsWA and the Moses Lake Creative District invite the community to talk arts, culture, and bold visions for the future, followed by live music. Event is free to the public. There will be a no-host bar. 6:30 p.m. at Moore Brewing Co., 302 W. Broadway, Moses Lake. Info: 509-707-0192.
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.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act (NR); Backrooms (R); Masters of the Universe (PG-13); Michael (PG-13); Obsession (R); Passenger (R); Scary Movie 6 (R); Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (PG-13); The Breadwinner (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: The Backrooms (R); Scary Movie 6 (R); Disclosure Day (PG-13); Masters of the Universe (PG-13) See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Closed for Lind Combine Derby. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Watch farm equipment battle it out June 12-13 at the Lind Combine Derby.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Basin home prices steady; closing costs drop in WA
MOSES LAKE — Basin home prices have stayed fairly steady in the larger communities this year, varying by 5-9 percent, according to data from the real estate site Redfin. Moses Lake’s home prices averaged $369,769 from March to the end of May 2026, an increase of 8.8 percent over the same period in 2025, according to Redfin’s data. Ephrata’s median was $340,796, a decrease of 8.6 percent from last year, and Quincy averaged $384,770, down 5 percent from a year ago. Othello’s median was $339,747, a drop of 5.6 percent. Warden prices were up 25.3 percent to $395,000. Mattawa homes sold for an average of $355,000, a drop of 14.5 percent, and Royal City’s median was up 18.3 percent to $358,000.
Moses Lake Scout builds garden at fairgrounds for Eagle project
MOSES LAKE — Seventeen-year-old Carson Overfield is taking the final step to reach the pinnacle of a Boy Scout’s career, becoming an Eagle Scout, and he proved it with sweat Tuesday morning. “He started (Scouting) when he was in second grade and went all the way through,” said Carson’s mom, Bonnie Overfield. Only about four percent of Boy Scouts ever reach Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in scouting, according to the Scouting America Heart of America Council website. The process is a rigorous one; Scouts spend years earning merit badges, passing tests and demonstrating leadership. Part of the process is the Eagle Scout Project, in which the Scout must plan something that will benefit any religious institution, any school or the community, according to the Eagle Project Workbook. All of the work must be completed before the Scout turns 18.
BASIN EVENTS: July 3-11
COLUMBIA BASIN – This weekend will be loaded with Fourth of July observances in most of our communities, and then there’s plenty more happening afterward. Here are some things to check out.