BASIN EVENTS: May 15-23
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 3 weeks AGO
Bring your resume to WorkSource’s Spring Hiring Fair today in Moses Lake.
FILE PHOTO
The Moses Lake High School Jazz Choir will hold its annual Dessert Social and Auction Tuesday.
Kids can climb, explore and even swing on big machines at the Ephrata Fire Department’s Touch a Truck tomorrow.
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 15, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — There’s plenty happening in the Basin as we sneak up on Memorial Day weekend. Check out some of these goings-on.
May 15
Spring Hiring Event
Bring your resume and take the opportunity to talk to local employers looking to fill their available positions. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at WorkSource, 309 E. Fifth Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-766-2559.
Live music with Owen Barnhart
Country solo artist Owen Barnhart’s sets include soulful banjo, fingerpicking guitar and a crystal clear voice - covering everything from classic country and Americana to classic rock and folk tunes. 5 p.m. at Monkey N’ Around Pizza, 716 13th Ave. SW, Quincy. Info: www.owenbarnhart.com.
May 16
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].
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.
Touch a Truck
Free family event with emergency vehicles and construction equipment for children to explore, plus food, music and fun activities. Hosted by Ephrata Fire Department. The first hour will be sensory-friendly with minimal noise and lights. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 780 A St SE, Ephrata. Info: 509-754-4666.
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.
Powersport PAW-looza
Join Grant County Animal Outreach and Adams County Pet Rescue for an afternoon packed with adoptable dogs, a free barbecue and exciting raffle baskets. Whether you’re looking for your new best friend or just want to enjoy the fun, there’s something for everyone. Donations will be collected for both shelters, and Wolfpack Powersports will match donations up to $500 for each facility. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Wolfpack Powersports, 1715 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-766-1020.
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.
Music and Wine Straight From the Vine
Live music by Moses Lake saxophonist Doug Coutts, as well as award-winning wine, craft brews, Cornfusion Gourmet Popcorn and local meats. 7 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: 509-750-4193.
May 19
Jazz Dessert Social and Auction
Silent auction with a selection of desserts and live performances by Moses Lake High School choir students. Proceeds support choir activities. 6:30 p.m. at Moses Lake Presbyterian Church, 1122 W. Ivy Ave. Info and tickets: mlhs.ticketspice.com/jazzsocial2026.
May 20
Cyber Safety for Kids and Families
This interactive presentation brings kids and grown-ups together to learn practical strategies for staying safe, building healthy digital habits, and creating open conversations about online life. Explore real-world risks while also learning positive “green flag” habits that support tech-life balance. Designed for both kids and caregivers, this session emphasizes curiosity, trust, and shared responsibility in building safer digital spaces. 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E 5th Ave. Info: 509-765-3489.
College and Community Resource Fair
Connect with colleges and organizations offering support for you and your family. Dinner, free childcare, raffles and lots of information, plus a visit from the Red Rock robotics team. 5:15-7 p.m. at Red Rock Elementary School, 230 Wildflower St. NE, Royal City. Info: 509-346-2432.
May 21
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. 2-6 p.m. at the Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-771-7634.
Adult Craft Night: Beaded Wind Chimes
Create your own wind chimes using assorted beads and string anchored onto a wood base. The finished wind chime will make a beautiful addition to your space and produce a twinkly sound on a windy day. Chimes and wood rounds are provided by NCW Libraries and beads by the Soap Lake Friends of the Library. 5-7 p.m. at Soap Lake Public Library, 32 Main Ave. E. Info: 509-246-1313.
May 21-24
Spring Fest
Moses Lake’s biggest blowout of the year. Carnival, parades, car show, 3-on-3 basketball tournament and more. Info: www.springfestinmoseslake.com.
May 22-24
Last Stand Rodeo
PRCA rodeo plus Cow Pie Jog, mutton bustin’, Cowboy Breakfast and parade. Coulee City Rodeo Grounds, 505 E. Walnut St., Coulee City. Info: laststandrodeo.com.
May 23
Downtown Ritzville Pop-Up Market
Local vendors, small businesses, and a day centered around shopping and supporting the community. Sponsored by the Ritzville Chamber of Commerce. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Ritzville. Info: ritzvillechamber.com.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft (PG-13); The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13); In the Grey (R); Michael (PG-13); Mortal Kombat II (R); Obsession (R); Project Hail Mary (PG-13); The Sheep Detectives (PG); Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Mortal Kombat II (R); The Sheep Detectives (PG); The Mandalorian and Grogu (PG-13). 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 Moses Lake High School Jazz Choir will hold its annual Dessert Social and Auction Tuesday.
Kids can climb, explore and even swing on big machines at the Ephrata Fire Department’s Touch a Truck tomorrow.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.