BASIN EVENTS: October 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 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. | September 25, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — The days are getting shorter and the eerie time of year is creeping up on us. Here are a few things happening in October.
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.
White Trail Grange Car Show
Trophies for cars, tractors and motorcycles. Food by Tacos El Tapatio and Italian sodas from Grange youth.10 a.m.-02 p.m. at White Trail Grange, 3392 Road 5 Northwest, Ephrata. Info: 509-398-1503.
UMANI Festival
Celebrate the Hispanic heritages of the Columbia Basin with local, regional and international music, dancing, art, lowrider 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, Oct. 26
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.
Oct. 2-3
’90s Flannel Fest
Celebrate the sounds of the ’90s alt/grunge wave with tribute bands celebrating a wide selection of talent will hit the stage, including tributes to the Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Alanis Morissette, U2, Pearl Jam and Limp Bizkit. Ages 21 and older. Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. Saturday at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info and tickets: 90sflannelfest.com.
Oct. 10
Fall Festival
Live music, food, vendors, kids’ activities, animals to feed, hayrides and more. Lots of room to run and play or sit and relax while listening to the music and sipping some fresh apple cider. 12-5 p.m. at Cloudview Farms, 17305 Frey Rd, Ephrata. Info: cloudviewfarm.org.
Murder & Moonlight at Moore Manor
Interactive murder mystery party where you become part of the story. You are invited by the esteemed Count Dragula, the “Queen” of Moore Manor, to celebrate at the Blood Moon Ball where night walkers and blood drinkers celebrate their immortal life. Throughout the evening, attendees will become the undead investigators to solve the mystery that unfolds. Vampire- and goth-inspired costumes are highly encouraged. Must be 21 or older. Presented by Columbia Basin Allied Arts and Moore Brewing Co. 6 p.m. at Moore Brewing Co., 302 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: moorebrewingco.com.
Oct. 11
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra
The Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra has a long tradition as one of the finest student/community orchestras in the region, and its repertoire contains some of the most demanding pieces in orchestral music. Presented by Central Basin Community Concert Association. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., show at 3 p.m. at Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Pkwy NE, Moses Lake. Tickets and info: www.communityconcertsml.org.
Oct. 17
Othello Fall Festival
Trunk or treat, contests, food and family activities, plus a movie at dusk. Sponsored by the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce. 2-9 p.m. at Kiwanis Park, 870 S. Shady Lane. Info: 509-488-2683.
Youth Dynamics Benefit Auction
Jump back to the 1980s and support Youth Dynamics outreach ministry. Come dressed as your favorite ’80s movie star and help raise money for local youth. 7 p.m. at Youth Dynamics, 102 E. Third Ave., Moses Lake. Info: [email protected].
Oct. 19
Create & Cackle
Join fellow artists, makers and creatives to hang out and finish that project you’ve been working on. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.
Oct. 29
Piano Men
A high-octane, emotionally charged musical journey led by father-son duo, Terry and Nick Davies, and a world-class band that takes audiences on a ride they won’t soon forget. Bonded by blood and a deep love for the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, Terry and Nick showcase their musical genes through a roller coaster of iconic hits, delivered with authenticity, showmanship and a deep sense of legacy. Presented by Central Basin Community Concert Association. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. at Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Pkwy NE, Moses Lake. Tickets and info: www.communityconcertsml.org.
Oct. 30
Downtown Ephrata Trick-or-Treat
Join local businesses and residents in downtown Ephrata for a trick-or-treating adventure. 5-7 p.m. at Rock Park, 32 Basin St NW, Ephrata. Info: Ephratachamber.org.
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.
Harvest Festival
Exciting activities including live music, food vendors, booth vendors, and a variety of games, plus trunk-or-treating. Sponsored by the Downtown Moses Lake Association. 2-5 p.m. at Sinkiuse Square, 306 S. Ash St., Moses Lake. Info: www.downtownmoseslake.org.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Avengers Endgame: Encore (PG-13); Buddy (R); Coyote vs. Acme (PG); Daniel and the Fiery Furnace (PG-13); Forgotten Island (PG); Heart of the Beast (PG-13); Insidious: Out of the Further (PG-13); Practical Magic 2 (PG-13); Primetime (R); Resident Evil (R); Runner (PG-13). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for showtimes.
The Showhouse: Resident Evil (R); Heart of the Beast (PG-13); Daniel and the Fiery Furnace (PG-13). See othelloshowhouse.com for showtimes.
Ritz Theater: Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (PG). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
The Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra will return to Moses Lake Oct. 11.Danny Cordero
Moses Lake’s Harvest Festival will be Oct. 31 at Sinkiuse Square.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Endless battle
Noxious Weed Control Board works to keep invasive plants under control
MOSES LAKE — Some of the nastiest plants in Grant County were the topic of a class led by Jay Johnson, a consultant with the Grant County Noxious Weed Control Board, Tuesday. The Noxious Weed Control Board, as its name would suggest, is tasked with keeping weeds under control in Grant County. That’s not a small job; the board’s website lists 129 species of noxious weeds that are found around Grant County. A noxious weed is defined as an invasive, non-native plant that threatens agricultural crops, local ecosystems or fish and wildlife habitat, according to the Noxious Weed Control Board. Washington state law requires that these weeds be identified and their spread kept to a minimum, if not completely eradicated. “We’re one of those agencies a lot of people don’t really understand,” Johnson said. “We’re a county office and … our funding is tax-based assessment. When you get your tax bill and you look down at all the expenses that you pay for, there we are.”
BASIN EVENTS: Oct. 16-24
COLUMBIA BASIN — Whether you feel like shopping, crafting, learning or seeing a show, there’s something happening for you this week in the Basin. Oct. 16 ‘My Family (Mi Familia)’ screening Spanning three generations, “My Family (Mi Familia)” is a heartfelt drama that follows the Sánchez family as they build their lives in East Los Angeles. Through love, hardship, triumph, and sacrifice, the film explores the immigrant experience, the strength of family bonds, and the traditions that connect one generation to the next. Lowrider show and taco truck before the screening. Sponsored by Columbia Basin Allied Arts, EDUBS C/S and the Moses Lake Creative District. $12 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m., film begins at 7 p.m. at the Moses Lake Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St. Tickets and info: www.cba-arts.org.
Moses Lake author encourages women to look beyond church culture norms
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake author’s book, “A Christian Woman Striving to Live Her Faith in a Man-Controlled World,” takes aim at the role to which many churches relegate the female half of their congregations. “It’s to encourage women in the faith,” Linda Curran said. “A lot of churches say, ‘Teach Sunday school, do this, do that, but don’t (evangelize.)’" In her book, Curran recounts a time when she moved to a new community and joined a church there. She was surprised to learn that, as a new female member, she had been automatically assigned church cleaning duties. When she questioned it, she wrote, she was met with condescension and her objections were brushed aside. In other churches, she said, women who were capable of teaching were relegated to “women’s ministry.”