Some Ephrata streets to close during music festival

EPHRATA — Some Ephrata streets will be closed Friday and Saturday to accommodate concerts and activities at the 13th annual Basin Summer Sounds music festival.

The closures will affect Basin Street and C Street around the Grant County Courthouse; the front lawn of the courthouse is the concert venue. First Avenue will be closed between Alder Street and Third Avenue.

The detour route uses Alder Street, and there is a separate detour for trucks. The maps of the street closures are available on the city’s Facebook page.

The truck detour route runs along Southwest E Street and Southwest F Street between First and Third avenues, according to a press release from the city of Ephrata. Residents in that area “should be aware of large wheat trucks possibly using those areas,” the press release said. A no-parking zone will be implemented along Third Street to facilitate truck traffic.

Ephrata residents are being encouraged to walk to festival events to reduce the traffic congestion.

The music starts at 5 p.m. Friday afternoon. Friday night’s lineup includes acoustic rock from the Nick Drummond Trio, straight-ahead rock ’n roll from Spike and the Impalers and country singer Barrett Baber.

Saturday’s lineup starts at 12:15 p.m. and opens with “acoustic pop-punk” solo artist Rylei Franks. Franks is followed by the “Gypsy jazz” band Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, country singer Breana Renea, the Seattle band Country Lips, country soloist Dylan Jakobsen, and country bands Brewer’s Grade and The Railers.

Other events are scheduled for Saturday, starting with the Car & Toy Show from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The “toys” of the title are big-boy toys – motorcycles, four-wheelers, motor homes, “pretty much anything with wheels,” said Amber Reynolds, Ephrata Chamber of Commerce.

It’s a full-on car show. “There are about 15 trophies we hand out, with all the different categories,” Reynolds said.

The regular Farmer’s Market will go on as scheduled. A 3-on-3 basketball tournament starts at 8 a.m., on C Street and around the corner on Basin Street. Games for children are scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. There’s also a beer and wine garden.

There also will be a DUI patrol, the press release said. “Special provisions are onsite for the swift evaluation and process of any disorderly and/or intoxicated guests,” it said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.