BASIN EVENTS: Sept. 18-26
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 22 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. | September 18, 2026 3:10 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s officially fall, with cooler temperatures and shorter days. Here are a few things to occupy your week.
Sept. 18-20
Deutschesfest
Beer garden, live music and more in downtown Odessa. Info: www.deutschesfest.net.
Sept. 19
Autism Community Day
Community celebration focused on inclusion, connection, acceptance, and family fun. Bounce house, corn dogs, coffee, games and resources for autism families and others. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Grant County Courthouse, 35 C St. SW, Ephrata. Info: grantcountyautism.org.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Fundraiser to support research into Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Registration 9 a.m., flower ceremony 10 a.m., walk begins 10:30 a.m. at McCosh Park, Moses Lake. Info: https://bit.ly/ALZWLK25.
Sept. 26
Almira Country Fair
Car show, parade, vendors and more. All day at Lions Club Park, Almira. Info: [email protected].
Veteran Resource and Job Fair
Employment opportunities, resources, free cold-weather gear for homeless veterans and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds Commercial and 4-H buildings, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-246-0904.
UMANI Festival
Celebrate the Hispanic heritages of the Columbia Basin with local, regional and international music, dancing, art, low rider show and more. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in downtown Moses Lake. Info: cba-arts.org.
Sept. 26-27
Living History Encampment
Encampment of soldiers and civilians with military and craft demonstrations, educational talks and a visit with famous figures from the American Revolution including George Washington and John Hancock. 9 a.m. Saturday-3 p.m. Sunday at Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum, 415 F St. SW. Info: 509-787-4685.
Sept. 28
Coffee and Support
Grab your favorite coffee and start your Monday out with a good cup of joe and support from those who are on the autism journey with you. Sponsored by the Autism Support Group of Grant County. 9-11 a.m. at Cup of Joy Cafe, 430 E. Division St., Ephrata. Info: grantcountyautism.org.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Buddy (R); Coyote vs. Acme (PG); Insidious: Out of the Further (PG-13); Practical Magic 2 (PG-13); Resident Evil (R); Runner (PG-13); Shawn the Sheep: Beast of Mossy Bottom (PG); Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG-13); Uprising (R). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Practical Magic 2 (PG-13). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: The End of Oak Street (PG-13). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The UMANI Festival will celebrate Hispanic cultures Sept. 26 in Moses Lake.
The Almira Country Fair will feature a parade, a car show and food and craft vendors Sept. 26.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Listings up, sales down in the Basin
MOSES LAKE — Washington home buyers had more to choose from this year, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 of Washington’s 39 counties. Active listings in Washington increased 22% between August 2025 and August 2026, according to the NWMLS data. The growth during that time was much less in the Basin; Grant County active listings rose 10.98% and only 7.1% in Adams County. Compared to July 2026, August active listings held fairly steady in Grant County, rising 2.44%. Adams County active listings rose from 49 in July to 58 in August.
Horizon employees give back to community
MOSES LAKE — The team at Horizon Credit Union took some time away from the office Tuesday to tackle a different line of work. “We’ve been doing this for about 10 years,” said Branch Manager Anthony Morris. “We close our branch down at noon and then we spend about four or five hours donating our time to the community.” The effort was part of Horizon’s “Go. Give. Grow.” event, in which all branches closed for half a day so employees could volunteer at a local nonprofit. Eight Moses Lake branch employees spent their afternoon at the Moses Lake Food Bank, sorting and packaging fresh produce. “We just got done bagging plums, cherries, peaches, tomatoes,” said Pieper Hansen, who was sealing bananas in plastic with coworkers Mary Garza and Rachel Buckle.
Cool weather, warm spirit at Moses Lake’s National Night Out
MOSES LAKE — The weather is a little cooler than a month ago, but that didn’t stop a good-sized crowd from coming downtown for National Night Out Tuesday. “(The people who came out) got to see the weather just like we did, and I’m sure they were like, really?” said Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “But they came out, so we’re very appreciative.” National Night Out is held nationwide on or around the first Tuesday of August, but this year the smoke from wildfires across eastern Washington made it less than fun to be outside, so the Moses Lake, Quincy and Ephrata police departments all postponed their events. The turnout was a little thinner than in previous years, Sands said; in addition to the fall weather, school had started, and many families had after-school activities.