BASIN EVENTS: May 22-29
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 2 weeks 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
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.