EVENTS: July 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 hours, 29 minutes 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 26, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — July will be bright, hot and filled with fun. Once the Fourth of July hoopla is over, there are still plenty of things to do. Here are a few suggestions, starting with a couple of end-of-June events.
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
Life Advocates for Pets Fundraiser
Live music with Days of Honey, plus raffles and lots of fun. Proceeds go to care for abandoned and lost animals. 6 p.m. at Moore Brewing Co., 302 W. Broadway, Moses Lake. Info: moorebrewingco.com.
July 9-13
American Crown Circus
Step into the big top for a family-friendly circus with music, aerial performances, cotton candy, popcorn, photo fun, and a huntrix in the air. K-pop-style attire encouraged but not necessary. 7:30-10:30 at Hund Memorial Park, 101 Government Road, Mattawa. Info: americancrowncircus.com.
July 10-11
Summerfest
Royal City’s community festival features a car show, touch-a-truck, goat tying, food, vendors, a parade and fireworks. 6 p.m. Friday-10 p.m. Saturday at Lions Park, Royal City. Info: www.royalcitysummerfest.org.
July 13
‘Moses Lake: Journey Through Time’ Book Signing
Author Shawn Curtis will sign copies of his book tracing the history of Moses Lake. 1-3 p.m. at the Moses Lake Library, 415 E. Fifth Ave. Info: (509-765-3489.
July 15
Create & Cackle
Do you like to make stuff? Do you have a project unfinished? Want to just hang out and finish a project? Just drop in, have a drink and a snack and create. Knitting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, perler beading, coloring, painting, origami or basket-weaving – the only limit is what you bring. Bring your own project and drinks/snacks and hang out with like-minded individuals. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.
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.
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 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.
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. Info: www.tower-pizza.com.
July 28
Mobile Market
Free drive-thru for fresh and nonperishable items. No appointment or paperwork needed – just come by if you need a hand. Limited to 250 families. Provided by Second Harvest Tri-Cities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1399 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata. Info: 2-harvest.org.
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.
This weekend at the movies
Fairchild Cinemas: Backrooms (R); Disclosure Day (PG-13) Masters of the Universe (PG-13); Jackass: Best and Last (R); Obsession (R); Scary Movie 6 (R); Supergirl (PG-13); Toy Story 5 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Supergirl (PG-13); Toy Story 5 (PG). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13) 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The Moses Lake Farmers Market will take on a yuletide spirit July 25.
Comedian Sam Miller will perform at Crescent Bar July 25.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Garred Road Fire sees no growth, two other local fires contained
COULEE CITY — Fire crews are still working on containing the Garred Road Fire, near Coulee City, which has seen very little growth, remaining at nearly 3,400 acres and is around 61 percent contained as of Thursday afternoon. According to the Southeast Washington Interagency I
Quincy store holds raffle for hospitalized employee
QUINCY — The raffle to help an ailing employee at Quincy Hardware and Lumber is booming. “When I first was trying to brainstorm what we could do about this (Wednesday) morning, I thought, (maybe) we can raise $1,000 to help with travel expenses and them being out of town so long,” said owner Tina Stetner Thursday. “Well, the first couple of hours that the store was open (Thursday), I think we'd already made $1,250.” Charles Rounds, who has worked at Quincy Hardware for about five years, was struck last week with cauda equina syndrome, a rare but critical condition in which some of the nerves at the base of the spine stop transmitting messages to the lower part of the body, according to the American Association of Neurosurgeons. In Rounds’ case, the nerves had stopped telling his bladder to empty, causing waste to back up and his kidneys to fail. He went to the emergency room at Quincy Valley Medical Center, which sent him on to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in the Tri-Cities, Reiman said.
120-acre fire burns structures by I-90
MOSES LAKE — Nobody was harmed in a wildfire alongside Interstate 90 Wednesday afternoon, according to Grant County Fire District 5. At about 3:45 p.m., Adams County Fire District 2 firefighters were dispatched to a fire, dubbed the Schrag Fire, at a farm residence on Schrag Road at milepost 194 of the eastbound lanes of I-90, GCFD 5 Battalion Chief Travis Svilar said. As of 6:30 p.m., the fire had grown to 120 acres. ACFD 2 called for mutual aid from neighboring departments and for air support, Svilar said. Two scooper planes and two helicopters were on the scene. The fire’s forward progress to the east was stopped by 6 p.m., Svilar said. The freeway remained open the entire time.