BASIN EVENTS: May 22-29
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 hours, 1 minute 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 22, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s Memorial Day weekend and there will be celebrations and solemn remembrances all over the Basin. There’s also live music, art and community gatherings to enjoy. Here are a few ways to start the summer.
May 22
Historic Marker Dedication
A sign detailing the life of Nathaniel “Nat” Washington will be dedicated at the Nat Washington House. Sponsored by the Jonas Babcock Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Washington State Society Daughters of the American Colonists and the Sons of the American Revolution, Spokane Chapter No. 1. 11 a.m. at 42 C St. NW, Ephrata. Info: www.jonasbabcockdar.org.
May 22-24
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, car show, 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.
Spill the Tea Master Class
Learn to grow, preserve and package your own herbal tea. Suggested donation $10 to cover supplies. 10 a.m. at Covenant Christian School, 1001 N. Grape Drive, Moses Lake. Info and RSVP: [email protected].
May 25
Dimestore Prophets
Live music by local band. 8 p.m. at Sporty’s Bar & Grill, 507 E. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: sportysml.com.
May 26
Of the Sea
Join other artists in painting a moonlit whale or a clever octopus. 5:30 p.m. at Harvest Moon Saloon, 213 Railroad St., Wilson Creek. Tickets and info: dp-artz.square.site.
May 27
Big Bend Community College Plant Sale
House plants, herbs and vegetables $3-$20. Cash only. Proceeds support BBCC agricultural programs. Info: bigbend.edu.
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 22818 SR 17 N., Soap Lake. Info: 2-harvest.org.
May 28
B Street Bash
Celebrate 20 years of data center prosperity with free food and desserts, beer garden, music, games and community celebrations. Sponsored by Microsoft. 5-8 p.m. on B Street Southeast, Quincy. Info: 509-787-2140.
Bingo
Proceeds support Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program. Free, but $5 per card donation suggested. 6 p.m. at Moses Lake Taproom, 530 E. Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.
May 29
Restore City Youth Auction
Dinner and live and silent auction to fund youth trip to National Youth Conference. Tickets $20 per person or $35 for a couple. Childcare available by donation. 6 p.m. at Restore City Church, 2227 W. Peninsula Drive, Moses Lake. Info: restorecity.church.
May 30
Whimsy in the Park
Fantasy croquet and park games, performers, bubbles, face painting and artisan and food vendors. Fantasy costumes encouraged and prizes for best child and adult costumes. Sponsored by the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce. 12-8 p.m. at East Beach Park, 125 First St. NE, Soap Lake. Info: soaplakecoc.org.
Sludgefest
Heavy metal music festival featuring Merlock, Sawdust, The Velvet Helmets and more. All ages welcome. 12 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: camascovecellars.com.
‘Aladdin’
A magical tale told with ballet, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop dance. Presented by Ballet Academy of Moses Lake. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/AladdinBalletML26. 1 and 6 p.m. at Moses Lake High School, 803 E. Sharon Ave. Info: balletacademyml.com.
This weekend at the movies
Fairchild Cinemas: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13); Michael (PG-13); Mortal Kombat II (R); Obsession (R); Passenger (R); The Sheep Detectives (PG); Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (PG-13); Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Obsession (R); The Mandalorian and Grogu (PG-13); The Backrooms (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.
Several patriotic organizations will dedicate a sign at the Nat Washington House in Ephrata Friday.
Downtown Ritzville will host a popup market and a car show Saturday.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Keep your lawn in shape this summer
MOSES LAKE — It’s getting warmer, and that means it’s time to take a good look at the lawn and get it ready to enjoy. A major consideration in the Basin will be watering. With the limited water supply, a homeowner needs to get the most out of what water is available. Overwatering causes soggy conditions that encourage weeds, starve the grass roots of oxygen and leach out plant nutrients, according to Washington State University Extension. On the other hand, watering lightly and frequently encourages shallow roots on the grass, which makes it less able to withstand sudden changes in temperature or moisture. Dig a little way into your soil and see if the top two inches are dry and crumbly. If they are, irrigate to 12 inches deep, assuming your soil is that deep.
Memorial Day ceremonies to remember those who gave their lives Monday
MOSES LAKE — Memorial Day weekend is here, and along with all the fun and festivities that accompany a three-day weekend, some Basin residents will be gathering on Monday for a more solemn occasion. “Memorial Day (is) not about war, it’s about people,” Jane Montaney, of the Art Semro American Legion Post 28 Auxiliary, wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. “They died, most of them young, serving their fellow Americans, their country, future generations – all of us.” Art Semro Post 28, based in Ephrata, will hold ceremonies at the cemeteries in Ephrata, Soap Lake and Quincy. The Quincy ceremony will also feature a performance by the Veterans Operation Creation Choir, VOC member Tom Parrish said.
BASIN EVENTS: May 22-29
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s Memorial Day weekend and there will be celebrations and solemn remembrances all over the Basin. There’s also live music, art and community gatherings to enjoy. Here are a few ways to start the summer. May 22 Historic Marker Dedication A sign detailing the life of Nathaniel “Nat” Washington will be dedicated at the Nat Washington House. Sponsored by the Jonas Babcock Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Washington State Society Daughters of the American Colonists and the Sons of the American Revolution, Spokane Chapter No. 1. 11 a.m. at 42 C St. NW, Ephrata. Info: www.jonasbabcockdar.org.