BASIN EVENTS CALENDAR: March 20-27, 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. | March 20, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — There’s plenty to do this week in the Columbia Basin. Here are some possibilities.
March 20
Rylei Franks
Live music by local singer-songwriter. 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Michael’s Market & Bistro, 221 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: ryleifranks.com
March 21
Cruisin’ into Spring Car Show
Classics, lowriders and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.gcfairgrounds.com/cruisin
Model Home Build Competition
Students in grades 6-8 are invited for a fun day of hands-on building. Model kits are provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own materials and add-ons. No charge, but registration required by March 13. Info and registration: https://bit.ly/HFHGML-ModelHome26
Corral Creek
Bluegrass concert featuring American roots music and storytelling. Adults $5, kids 12 and younger free. There will be a hat-pass for the musicians. Refreshments served by the Georgettes. 53 p.m. at the George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com
March 22
Mom Meetup
Support and friendship for moms of all faiths and all ages of children. Childcare provided. 3-4:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Chapel, 612 Third Ave. SE, Ephrata. Info: 509-760-7669
March 23
Naloxone Training
Learn to identify and respond to an opioid overdose with hands-on training. Presented in English and Spanish by Grant County Health District. 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. 509-787-2359
March 24
Gentlemen’s Quartet
Instrumental quartet with female vocalist. GQ is a modern, elegant take on some of the most famous music ever written, fusing together multiple genres in a perfect symphony of sophistication, virtuosity and humor. Sponsored by Central Basin Community Concert Association. Tickets $30 for adults, $10 for students, with special rates for families and music teachers and students. 7 p.m. at the Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Parkway NE, Moses Lake. Tickets and info: www.communityconcertsml.com
Nate Ford Live
Comedian Nate Ford has performed across the country, from the dimly lit dive bars that ooze with character to the grandeur of prestigious theaters, as well as being seen on “Last Comic Standing” and “The Prairie Home Companion.” 8-10 p.m. at Pastime Sportscenter, 119 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info and reservations: 509-428-4117
March 26
Family History Night
Learn about the history of the Columbia Basin, and enjoy cheese zombies or chili with a cinnamon roll. Hosted by Ephrata Middle School PAWS. Proceeds fund EMS’ eighth-grade celebration. Tickets $7, available at https://bit.ly/EMSHistory26. 5-7 p.m. at Ephrata Middle School, 384 A St. SE. Info: 509-754-4659
Bingo Fundraiser for Daze of Camelot
Raffles, drawings and bingo. Prizes include a smart TV, a kayak and gift baskets. Proceeds support Daze of Camelot Animal Sanctuary. There will also be a supply drive; please bring any laundry detergent and pet food you can spare. No charge, but a donation of $5 is suggested per bingo card. 6-8 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: moseslaketaproom.com
March 27
‘Zootopia 2’
Free screening of family-friendly film. Rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De'Snake arrives in Zootropolis and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before. Bring your favorite treats to enjoy, just remember to clean up afterward. 1 p.m. at Quincy Public Library 208 Central Ave S. Info: 509-787-2359
Pine Needle Basketry
Discover the timeless art of pine needle basket making in this hands-on beginner class. Participants will learn the fundamentals of coiling techniques, how to prepare and work with natural pine needles, how to start with a ceramic base, and how to incorporate simple embellishments. No prior experience is necessary. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a small, handcrafted basket and the skills to continue this relaxing and rewarding craft at home. All materials are provided. 1 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830
Humanities Speaker: Feliks Banel
Northwest historian, broadcaster and storyteller Feliks Banel presents “All Over the Map: Stories Behind the Names of Washington Places and Things,” an engaging look at how our state’s towns, landmarks, and even local brands got their names. Sponsored by Humanities Washington. No charge. 5 p.m. at Ritzville Public Library, 302 W. Main Ave. Info: ritzvillelibrary.org
Under the Stars Daddy-Daughter Dance
Dinner and dancing for dads and daughters. Treat boxes and water included, plus photos available on-site. Hosted by Royal High School Family, Career, Community Leaders. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/RHSDaddyDaughter26. Dinner 5:30 p.m., dancing 7-8:30 p.m. at Royal High School, 955 Ahlers Ave. N. Info: 509-346-2256
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: GOAT (PG); Hoppers (PG); Project Hail Mary (PG-13); Reminders of Him (PG) Scream 7 (R); Undertone (R). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Project Hail Mary (PG-13); Reminders of Him (PG-13) See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: I Can Only Imagine 2 (PG). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Museum’s Rusty Mammoth sale tomorrow to be the biggest in years
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center’s annual Rusty Mammoth Sale is tomorrow, and it’s a doozy, according to Museum Superintendent Dollie Boyd.
Hayden unveils Give as you Go community support program
REDMOND, Ore. — Hayden Homes, the Oregon-based builder behind more than a dozen Moses Lake housing developments, announced recently that it is pledging $25 million in charitable giving over the next four years through its Give as you Go initiative. “It always kind of bothered me when my friends’ companies would be like ‘Hey, it’s Christmas, so we should give back,’” said Hayden Homes CEO Dennis Murphy. “And as silly as it sounds, the thing in my head was, ‘Why’d you take so much in the first place?’ If you have to stop and give back, doesn’t it make more sense to just not take as much and give as you go?”
Bourbon & Bowties
Samaritan raises money to bring doctors to the Basin
MOSES LAKE — The fourth annual Bourbon & Bowties fundraiser raised more than $350,000 April 24 to bring more doctors to Samaritan Healthcare. “The population in our hospital district is large enough that we’re about 22 primary care physicians short,” said Roberta Bigalk, executive director of the Samaritan Foundation. The solution Samaritan is working on, Bigalk said, is a partnership with the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University to bring physicians to the Columbia Basin to do their residency. Starting in 2029, Samaritan hopes to bring four or five new resident doctors a year. “The hope is that they come here with their families,” Bigalk said. “They spend three to four years, and they want to stay here because they love the rural community.”

