BASIN EVENTS: May 8-16
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months 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 8, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather is just about perfect and there are things going on all over the Basin. Here are some options to check out.
May 8-10
‘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.
May 9
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.
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].
May 9
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.
May 14
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 Bethel Assembly of God, 915 S. First Ave., Othello. Info: 2-harvest.org.
May 15
Old Time Fiddlers
Musical jam for anyone who wants to play or just enjoy the music. 2-4 p.m. at the Moses Lake Senior Center, 608 E. Third Ave. Info: 509-765-7809.
May 16
Community Bike Repair Event
Bring your bike, get repairs and learn maintenance skills. Basic repairs done free. For ages 5-16. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Othello Christian Church, 915 E. Rainier St. Info: 509-488-2208.
HOSA Color Run
Lace up for a color-filled 5k run. Race kit includes bib, sunglasses, optional T-shirt and take-home color packet. 8 a.m. check-in, 9 a.m. shotgun start at the Grant Elementary/Ephrata High School parking lot. Info: [email protected].
High Tea at the Garden
Step into an elegant, Regency-inspired afternoon at our High Tea. Enjoy fine teas, sparkling beverages, classic tea-time treats, and a charming mini-bloom bar where you can craft your own petite bouquet to take home along with a keepsake teacup and other sweet treasures. Proceeds support Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Garden Event Center, 605 E Nelson Road, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4030.
Community Shred Event
Bring old bills and sensitive documents to be destroyed safely. Sponsored by Windermere Moses Lake. Four-box maximum. No charge. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Surf ‘n Slide Water Park parking lot, 410 W. Fourth Ave., Moses Lake.
5 Mile Drive
Live bluegrass concert. Adults $5, kids 12 and younger free. There will be a hat-pass for the musicians. Refreshments served by the Georgettes. 3 p.m. at the George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
The Wicked Pickles
Moses Lake cover band featuring a mix of ’80s and classic rock, with a little country, pop, and alternative sprinkled in. 7-11 p.m. at Columbia Basin Eagles Lodge No. 2622, 1517 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-3312.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Animal Farm (PG); Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft (PG-13); Deep Water (R); The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13); Michael (PG-13); Mortal Kombat II (R); Project Hail Mary (PG-13); The Sheep Detectives (PG); Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG); The Mummy (R). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: The Mummy (R); Mortal Kombat II (R); Animal Farm (PG); The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13); Obsession (R). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: The Sheep Detectives (PG) 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The Quincy Public Market will be the venue for a popup and car show Saturday.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.