BASIN EVENTS: November 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 51 minutes 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. | October 30, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — November is right around the corner, and the Basin is brimming with things to do. Here are a few ways to get out and about.
Oct. 30
Mystery Dinner and Escape Challenge
Get ready for a night of mystery, dinner, and problem-solving at the Toxic Lab Mystery Dinner and Escape Challenge. Gather your team to solve the clues, crack the codes, and contain the goo during this tabletop escape challenge while supporting the Youth Fair. For ages 14 and up. Tickets $45 or $230 for a table of six. 6 p.m. at Wheat Land Fairgrounds, 811 E Main Ave, Ritzville. Info: www.ritzvillechamber.com.
Oct. 30-Nov. 8
‘Anastasia: The Musical’
"Anastasia The Musical transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Masquers Theater, 322 Main Ave. E., Soap Lake. Info and tickets: www.masquers.com.
Oct. 31
Moravida Festival
Moravida Festival is a vibrant celebration of life inspired by the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos. There will be family-friendly activities, live entertainment, engaging children’s crafts, diverse food vendors, and much more. This event is open to all and free to attend. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: www.gcfairgrounds.com.
Nov. 6
Members Exhibition
Gallery opening for show of art by museum members. Opening reception 4-7 p.m. at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: www.moseslakemuseum.com.
Nov. 6-13
‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’
The classic tale of the Headless Horseman comes to life on the Quincy High School stage. 2 p.m. Nov. 7 and 14, 7 p.m. Nov. 6, 7, 12 and 13 at QHS Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit Street NE. Info: 509-787-3501.
Nov. 7
St. Rose of Lima Auction
Fundraiser for St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. Dinner, raffles, dessert dash and live and silent auctions. Theme is “007 Auction Royale: Live and Let Bid.” Doors open at 4:30 p.m. at 520 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata. Info: www.saintroseschool.org.
Nov. 11
Safe Sitter Class
Safe Sitter is for young teens in grades 6-8 who are ready to learn the skills they need to care for themselves and younger children. This instructor-led class is filled with fun games and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use manikins to practice rescue skills like choking rescue and CPR. In addition, Safe Sitter teaches young teens life and business skills so that they know how to be prepared, be responsible and be considerate whether they are babysitting or doing odd jobs for family, friends, or neighbors. 9 a.m. at Heart Matters Education Group, 341 Basin St. NW, Ephrata. Info and registration: www.hmedgroup.com.
Classic USO Entertainment
A tribute to the music and entertainers that kept the troops’ spirits up during World War II. Presented by Veterans Operation Creation. Free admission for veterans. 7 p.m. at Quincy Middle School, 16 Sixth Ave. Info and tickets: veteransoperationcreation.com.
Nov. 11-17
Cozy Christmas Market
Holiday gifts and décor, vintage finds, handmade goods, local artisan vendors, seasonal treats and wreath workshops. Seed Cupboard Nursery, 12543 Road H SW, Royal City. Info: seedcupboardnursery.com.
Nov. 13-17
‘Big Fish: The Musical’
“Big Fish: The Musical” is a fantastical, heartwarming musical that follows the life of a traveling salesman whose larger-than-life stories captivate everyone around him – especially his loving wife. But their son, about to become a father himself, is determined to uncover the truth behind his father’s epic tales. 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, 2 p.m. Saturday at Moses Lake High School, 803 Sharon Ave. E. Info: 509-766-2666.
Nov. 14
5K Walk/Run for Veterans
Whether you’re running for a personal best or walking to show your support, every step makes a difference. Bring your friends and family, and help us honor our veterans while giving back to those who have served. All proceeds go to FOB Columbia. 9 a.m. at Warden Volunteer Park. Info: 509-349-2581.
Nov. 20
Downtown Tree Lighting
Downtown Moses Lake kicks off the holiday season with shopping, treats and a huge lit-up tree. Sponsored by the Downtown Moses Lake Association. 4-6 p.m. at Sinkiuse Square. Info: www.downtownmoseslake.org.
Nov. 20-21
‘Suite Surrender’
It’s 1942, and two of Hollywood’s biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel – assistants, luggage and legendary feud with one another in tow. Everything seems to be in order for their wartime performance until they are somehow assigned to the same suite. Mistaken identities, overblown egos, double entendres and a lap dog named Mr. Boodles round out this hilarious love letter to the classic farces of the ’30s and ’40s. 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at Ephrata High School, 333 Fourth Ave. NW. Info: 509-754-5285.
Nov. 21
Turkey Trot
5K run/walk to benefit Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation. Registration $25 through Nov. 15 with shirt; $35 Nov. 16 or later, does not include shirt. 9 a.m. at Blue Heron Park, 111 Westshore Drive, Moses Lake. Info: 509-764-4644.
Booker T. Jones
Live concert by legendary blues musician Booker T Jones, founder of Booker T and the Mgs.. Presented by Columbia Basin Allied Arts. 7 p.m. at Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Pkwy NE, Moses Lake. Info and tickets: www.cba-arts.org.
Nov. 22
Turkey Bingo
Thirty turkeys will be awarded. $1 per game, plus 50-50 raffle. Proceeds go for student scholarships. Hosted by Quincy Valley Lions Club. Doors open 1 p.m., games begin 2 p.m. at Quincy Valley Business and Conference Center, 101 F St SW. Info: [email protected].
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Christmas at the Kringles (R); Clayface (R); Forgotten Island (PG); Heart of the Beast (PG-13); Mongoose (R); Other Mommy (R); Resident Evil (R); Sense and Sensibility (PG); Street Fighter (PG-13); Verity (R); Wildwood (PG-13); You Can See Everything (R). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for showtimes.
The Showhouse: Clayface (R). See othelloshowhouse.com for showtimes.
Ritz Theater: Forgotten Island (PG). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Moses Lake will kick off its holiday season Nov. 20 with the Downtown Tree Lighting.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Hidden chimney damage can turn cozy fires dangerous
MOSES LAKE — The weather is getting chillier, which means lots of people are getting ready to build the first fire of the year in their fireplace. Here in the Columbia Basin where electricity is plentiful, few homes are heated with burnable fuel like wood or oil. But even chimneys attached to fireplaces that only get occasional use should be checked regularly, said Joe Ochal, CEO of Chimney Scientists. “Chimneys last about 20-30 years before the interior of them starts to degrade and they have holes where heat can transfer into the wall cavity,” Ochal said. “When we’re going into people’s homes and do a chimney cleaning, we put a camera in the chimney every time to make sure there’s no holes where there’s heat transfer. People will often say to us, ‘Well, it’s been this way for 80 years,' and (they’re) surprised that chimneys require maintenance.”
BASIN EVENTS: November 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — November is right around the corner, and the Basin is brimming with things to do. Here are a few ways to get out and about.
Family History Fair helps people explore their roots
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a Family History Fair Saturday that allowed visitors to dig deep into their roots, with tools many hadn’t known existed. “I’m learning that there are a lot of things that I could be doing, that are easy changes in my routine, to document not just my life but those of my ancestors,” Sarah Bair of Ephrata said. Much of the information revolved around the church’s primary genealogy site, FamilySearch. That site accesses more than 16 billion records, Moses Lake East Stake FamilySearch Center co-coordinator Jeff Stevens told the Columbia Basin Herald in February.