EVENTS: July 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — July will be bright, hot and filled with fun. Once the Fourth of July hoopla is over, there are still plenty of things to do. Here are a few suggestions, starting with a couple of end-of-June events.
Senior Picnic celebrates America’s 250th birthday with hot dogs, music and fun
MOSES LAKE — The 12th annual Moses Lake Senior Picnic June 10 was a star-spangled success, organizers said. “It’s amazing,” said Laurie Ahmann, executive director of Brookdale Hearthstone, one of the sponsors of the event. “There are some (people) who are first-timers this year, but there are those who say they’ve been here all 12 years.” The picnic took up two buildings at the Grant County Fairgrounds and drew a crowd of about 900 people, said Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Doran-Martinez. That number was about on a par with the 2025 picnic, she added.
SENIOR EVENTS: July 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — When all the Fourth of July celebrations have wound down, there will still be plenty of opportunities to get out of the house and into something fun. Here are a few things awaiting seniors in July.
Moses Lake pianist performs at honors recital
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake student performed last week at the Washington State Music Teachers Association Honors Recital. “She performed very musically and beautifully,” music instructor Marina Munter wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. “A lot of teachers from all over Washington commented to me how much they enjoyed her performance with a lot of musical expression and emotion.” Anna Borodulin, who has studied with Munter for nine years, was one of 11 students statewide selected to perform at the WSMTA Conference, which was held at Central Washington University June 27-29.
BASIN EVENTS: July 3-11
COLUMBIA BASIN – This weekend will be loaded with Fourth of July observances in most of our communities, and then there’s plenty more happening afterward. Here are some things to check out.
Tribute, cover bands finish out Moses Lake’s summer concert series
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Summer Concert Series, sponsored by the Moses Lake Creative District, has come into its own in its fourth year, said Creative Programs Coordinator Jenni Shelton. “I think it’s growing, as things like this do,” Shelton said. “We didn’t have super high attendance with our first two concerts this summer, but we had bad weather. It wasn’t very warm out and there had been rain earlier in the day. But I think word is getting our more and I’m hoping that these tribute bands are going to get people out even more.” Two of this year’s concerts were tied in with other events: R and B singer Lady A performed at Juneteenth and the 133d Army National Guard band performed last week at Red, White and Boom. In between, tejano/conjunto band Los Volcanes de Eddie Rodriguez brought the sounds of the south Texas border country to the Centennial Amphitheater.
BASIN EVENTS: July 10-18
COLUMBIA BASIN — Whether you soak up the sun or the air conditioning, there’s something happening to suit you in the Basin this week. Check these out.
EVENTS: July 17-25, 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — We’re near the halfway point of the summer, and there’s still no shortage of things to do this year. Here are some ways to get out and about.
Warden library hosts Mexican dance show
WARDEN — The dancers of Warden’s Ballet Folklórico Viva México performed at the Warden Library Thursday afternoon, entertaining one of the largest crowds a library event has drawn, said Librarian Jean Boersma. “We were pushing 100,” Boersma said. “They just kept coming.” About 15 dancers of wide-ranging ages and sizes demonstrated traditional moves from Mexico on the library lawn, in both denim shorts and skirts and full, flowing dresses in bright colors. The audience sat or stood in the shade of the tree on the library lawn, many of them holding up phones to capture the moment on video. After each dance, one dancer would shout, “Viva Mexico!” and the dancers would enthusiastically respond, “Viva!”
BASIN EVENTS: July 24-Aug. 1
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s hot and smoky outside? This is the Columbia Basin. We’re used to this. Here are some chances to get out and have some fun no matter what the sky looks like. July 25 Christmas in July at the Market Who says you have to wait until December for holiday cheer? Stroll through decorated vendor booths, shop amazing local makers and growers, enjoy holiday-themed fun, festive music, sweet treats, and surprises for the whole family. Wear your favorite Christmas shirt, Santa hat, or holiday outfit. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Moses Lake Farmers Market, McCosh Park, 401 W. Fourth Avenue. Info: www.farmersmarketml.com.
