BASIN EVENTS: June 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 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 29, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — As we swing out of spring into summer, there is a host of activities in the Basin, both indoors and out. Here are a few suggestions.
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. Child care 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.
June 4
Nonprofit Meetup
All Moses Lake non-profits and service organizations are welcome. Share what your organization is all about, what your current needs are, and network with other local nonprofits. One lucky nonprofit will win a $100 donation from Care Moses Lake. Bring your own lunch. 12 p.m. at the Downtown Moses Lake Association office, 205 S. Division St. Info: 509-770-1002.
June 7
Hands on the Mural
Kids are invited to come put their handprints on the mural, and make it look like a full meadow of wildflowers. Hosted by Its Arty Time. 3-6 p.m. at the Old Hotel Art Gallery, 343 Larch St., Othello. Info: 509-793-8424.
June 10
Senior Picnic
Enjoy lunch, live music and prize giveaways and meet local businesses that offer senior services. A shuttle from the parking lot to the event will be provided. Free to seniors 55 and older, $5 for family members and caregivers. Hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with lunch served at 12 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.moseslake.com.
June 11
Lind Field Day
Tour the ongoing research projects at the Washington State University Lind Dryland Research Station. Hosted lunch and ice cream social. Free and open to the public. 8:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at 781 E. Experiment Station Road, Lind. Info and directions: lindstation.wsu.edu.
June 12-13
Sage-N-Sun
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the Ephrata sunshine. Live music, parade, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, family activities and more. Hosted by Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. Info: www.ephratachamber.org.
Lind Combine Demolition Derby
Watch farm equipment battle it out in the arena. Car and truck races, parades, barbecue and beer garden, as well as the renowned combine demo derby. Lind Lions Club Arena, 2709 E. Second St., Lind. Info: www.lindcombinederby.com.
June 12-14
Rastelli Circus
Thrilling stunts, laughs, and jaw-dropping talent perfect for the whole family, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: RastelliCircus.com.
June 13
Little Big Show
Car show with vendors, food and more. 8 a.m. in downtown Wilson Creek. Info: www.thelittlebigshow.com.
‘The Sugar Kingdom’: A Dance Show’
Lollipops, Jolly Ranchers, gummy bears, and more will take the stage to tell the story of beloved magic dance shoes. Presented by Royalty Dance Studio. 3 and 6 p.m. at Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit St. NE. Info: 253-888-5665 or royaltydancestudio.com.
June 14
Flag Day Social
Bring your family, friends, and lawn chairs as we kick off summer together and honor our nation’s flag with the community. Flag ceremony, barbecue, ice cream and a visit from the Quincy Valley Historical Society’s “Journey to Philadelphia 1776.” Hosted by Veterans Operation Creation. 12-2 p.m. at Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum, 415 F St SW, Quincy. Info: veteransoperationcreation.com.
June 19
Soap Lake Food & Folk Festival
Live music, local food, workshops, craft vendors, family activities, and community gathering. Hosted by Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee in partnership with Cloudview Farm and Soap Lake Creative District. Free and open to all ages. Soap Lake Creative District Friday, Cloudview Farms Saturday. Info: tinyurl.com/solawafff.
H.E. Gritman Senior Center Rummage Sale
A wide variety of items to choose from. Prices are by donation. Proceeds support the H.E. Gritman Senior Center. 3 p.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
June 20
Family Picnic Day
Enjoy a day packed with activities and entertainment for all ages. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Downtown Moses Lake Association. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Neppel Landing, 104 S. Alder St., Moses Lake. Info: downtownmoseslake.org.
Autism Movie Day: ‘Toy Story 5’
Autism-friendly screening of the animated film “Toy Story 5.” Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs get exponentially harder when they go head-to-head with a new threat to playtime. 11:30 a.m. at Fairchild Cinemas, 233 N Block St, Moses Lake. Info: grantcountyautism.org.
Caddyshack Par-Tee
Come dressed in your best plaid or golf-themed attire and support Soroptimist International of Moses Lake. Dinner, silent auction, live auction and raffle, followed by dancing under the stars. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/SIMLAuction26 Doors open at 5 p.m. at Pillar Rock Grill, 1373 Road F.2 NE, Moses Lake. Info: moseslakesoroptimist.com.
June 26
2nd Annual Flock Cancer Walk
Follow the flamingo-lined trail along the Gavinski Trail through Neppel Landing and back, cheered on by volunteers and a live DJ. $25 registration fee and a percentage of sales will go to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation. Register at https://bit.ly/MLFlockCancer26. Info: 509-707-0192.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Backrooms (R); Michael (PG-13); Obsession (R); Passenger (R); The Sheep Detectives (PG); Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (PG-13); The Breadwinner (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: The Mandalorian and Grogu (PG-13); The Backrooms (R); Scary Movie 6 (R). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG) 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The public is invited to check out the latest in wheat research at the Lind Field Day June 11.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Home prices up in most Basin markets
MOSES LAKE — Home prices increased in most, but not all, markets of the Columbia Basin this year, according to data from the real estate website Redfin. The median home price in Moses Lake in September was $364,821, according to Redfin’s data, up 5.4% from September 2025. Ephrata’s median price wasn’t far off, at $368,824, but that represented a 12.5% increase over the same time period. Quincy’s median price topped the list of local cities at $405,235, a 10.1% year-over-year increase. Othello, in contrast, dropped by 17.1% year-over-year, to $298,226.
BASIN EVENTS Nov. 6-14
COLUMBIA BASIN — Now that everyone has adjusted from the Daylight Saving Time changeover, it’s time to get out of the house and off to something fun. Here are a few destinations to check out. Nov. 6 Members Exhibition Gallery opening for show of artworks by museum members. Opening reception 4-7 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: www.moseslakemuseum.com.
Going rogue
Moses Lake salon celebrates creativity and independence
MOSES LAKE — The new salon on East Broadway is called Rogue Collective for a reason. “We had this dream to do it all together,” said owner Dana Mendoza. “That’s where the ‘collective’ came from. It’s a pretty amazing group of women. Everyone has their own separate gifts and talents.” The “rogue” part of the name comes from the fact that the professionals all came from other salons with the same idea: to do things their own way.