BASIN EVENTS: May 1-9
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 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. | May 1, 2026 3:05 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring is finally here and it's time to get out in the sunshine. Music, sales and celebrations galore await you this week.
May 1
Spring Market
Shop local vendors for homemade yard art, fresh pies, antiques, outdoor furniture and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at RNR Garden Creations, 4101 Dunn St. NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-989-4352.
May 2
Rusty Mammoth Sale
A treasure hunt with surprises around every corner. From artsy gems to vintage wonders, quirky finds to conversation starters, there’s something for every style and every budget. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830.
Hartline Flea Market
Vendors of all kinds. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the Hartline School lawn, 92 Chelan St. Info: 509-639-2357.
Mother’s Day Tea
An afternoon of singing songs, a refreshing message and games. Lunch and tea will be provided. 12 p.m. at Lind Community Church, 114 E. Fifth St. Info: 509-750-5672.
May 2-3
Cinco de Mayo at Sun Lakes
Tons of fun and games, including giant slides, bouncy house and obstacle course, interactive arena, mechanical bull, Knockerball, laser tag, crafts, cookie kit and mini-golf. Wristbands $20 Saturday, $15 Sunday. 120 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Sun Lakes Park Resort, 34228 Park Lake Rd NE, Coulee City. Info: 877-632-5291.
May 4-5
‘A Trip to Bountiful’ Auditions
Horton Foote’s moving play tells the story of an elderly woman, who longs to escape the cramped Houston apartment where she lives with her protective son and her authoritarian daughter-in-law and return to her beloved hometown one final time before she dies. In-person auditions 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Masquers Theater, 322 Main Ave. E., Soap Lake. Video submissions also accepted until May 7. Info and video submissions: [email protected].
May 5
Viking Percussion Open Jam
Build your chops and jam on snare, bass drum, marimba, synth, bass, guitar and more. Bring your own drum and sticks or some will be available. 7-9 p.m. at the BBCC Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Pkwy NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-793-2222.
May 7
Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
This meaningful morning gathering will bring together community members from all walks of life for breakfast and a time of prayer, reflection and connection with local leaders and faith representatives. Guest speaker is businessman and philanthropist Malachi Salcido. Hosted by Brookdale Hearthstone and the Kiwanis Club of Moses Lake. Tickets $20, available through the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, 509-765-7888 or www.moseslake.com. 7-9 a.m. at Brookdale Hearthstone, 905 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-2121.
Ladies Night Out – Mother’s Day Edition
This special evening is all about bringing the community together for a fun night downtown featuring exclusive specials, local shopping, and unique experiences hosted by participating businesses and vendors. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a head start on Mother’s Day, whether you’re shopping for the moms in your life or simply enjoying a well-deserved night out. No charge. Sponsored by Downtown Moses Lake Association. 5-8 p.m. at 205 S. Division St., Moses Lake. Info: downtownmoseslake.org.
May 7-8
SING! Choir fundraiser
Student soloists and a live band. Tickets $10, $5 student/senior/military $5. All proceeds support Quincy High School Choir. Concessions will be available from Quincy Music Boosters. 7-9 p.m. both evenings at Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit St. NE. Info: 509-787-3501.
May 7-10
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Basin Community Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning musical. 7:10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 1:10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Moses Lake High School Theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave. Tickets and info: basincommunitytheatre.com.
Paint, Sip & Live Music
Paint class led by Brittany Jahns, live music with Stadyc Stromberg and Alysen Hesselroth and more. Tickets $50 and include all paint supplies, two drink tickets and a chance to be entered in a movie night package raffle. 6:30 p.m. at The Showhouse, 130 N. Broadway Ave., Othello. Info: othelloshowhouse.com.
May 9
Cinco de Mayo Farmers Market
Fresh produce from the greenhouses, Mother’s Day baskets, forever bouquets, treats and baked goods. Hosted by Little Owl Farms. 9 a.m. at Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant, 222 Basin St. SW, Ephrata. Info: littleowlfarms.com.
Barracuda Golf Tournament
Raffles, prizes and a great time. Proceeds benefit Othello Barracudas swim team. 10 a.m. at Sage Hills Golf Course, 10400 Sagehill Road SE, Warden. Info: [email protected].
St. Rose of Lima Coconut Crawl
Participants run, walk or hula their way through a one-mile or 5K race option. Participants are awarded a finisher lei. Food available from local vendors. 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, 520 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata. Info: www.saintroseschool.org.
Quincy Public Market Popup and Car Show
Vendors, food and classic vehicles of all kinds. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1004 F. St. SE, Quincy. Info: 509-794-3445.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Animal Farm (PG); Deep Water (R); The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13); Hoppers (PG); Michael (PG-13); Project Hail Mary (PG-13); Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG); The Mummy (R). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Michael (PG-13); Animal Farm (PG); The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13); Mortal Combat II ((R). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: The Drama (R) 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Brookdale Hearthstone and the Kiwanis Club of Moses Lake will host the mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Thursday morning.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Quincy National Night Out scales down
QUINCY — Quincy’s National Night Out was more compact this year, which worked out well, said QPD Sgt. Joe Westby, who’s in charge of event planning for the Quincy Police Department. “National Night Out is a big event, and the fact that we’re able to shrink it up is like a breath of fresh air,” Westby said. “If you're always doing the same thing, it's kind of nice to switch things up and see how it works.” National Night Out took place Thursday on the block of C Street next to the police station, a shift from previous years when it was held at Lauzier Park. The smaller space meant fewer emergency vehicles for children to explore, but it also meant less walking for attendees. Grant County Fire District 5 brought a fire truck, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office had a patrol boat. Renew, the Grant County behavioral health agency, had a booth and so did Quincy Partnership for Youth. Veterans Operation Creation sang the national anthem, and the Quincy Animal Shelter brought kittens that piled over each other making friends with passersby. As before, the QPD served grilled hot dogs.
Quincy Police retirements leave big shoes to fill
QUINCY — There are some big shoes to fill at the Quincy Police Department. “We’re losing 48 years of experience between them,” Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green said at the retirement party for Capt. Jorge Trujillo and Det. Damon Powell Thursday. Trujillo, who grew up in Sunnyside, has been with QPD for 19 years, he said, coming on as a patrol officer fresh out of the military. From there he served as a field training officer, a detective and finally captain. “I consider him my left-hand man,” Green said. “He runs the operations side of the house … He knows the agency very well, and he knows the community.” Trujillo has some projects around the house to tackle now that he’s retired, he said.
Big fun on a small scale
Wheat Land Communities’ Fair opens Thursday
RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair isn’t as big or as flashy as some of the county fairs around central Washington, but the folks who keep it going like it just the way it is. “It’s somewhere you can go and get an old-time traditional feeling, and you’re comfortable letting your kids roam the grounds and experience all that it has to offer,” said Board Member Lori Williams. “It’s more of a feeling than (one) specific thing,” The fair starts Thursday in Ritzville and runs through Sunday. Starting Friday, the 56th Ritzville Rodeo will take place alongside the fair at the rodeo grounds. This year the entertainment budget was expanded, Williams said, to be able to offer more fun that’s covered by the cost of admission. For the kids, there’s face painting, balloon art, Lego crafts, races, contests and games. Children can also ride on a little train towed around the fairgrounds behind a tractor.