Holiday cheer around the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down just about every main drag in the Columbia Basin. Many local communities will hold holiday celebrations over the next couple of weekends. Here are some places to load up on Christmas joy:

Winterfest

Soap Lake will hold Winterfest on Dec. 2. The fun starts at 10 a.m. with a holiday bazaar at the Soap Lake Community Center, 121 Second Ave. SE, offering crafts, food, jewelry and more, and a book sale at the Soap Lake Public Library, 32 Main Ave. E. Turkey bingo will be held at noon at the Del-Red pub, 311 Main Ave. E. Coffee and hot cocoa will be served at 3 p.m. at McKay Healthcare & Rehabilitation, 127 Second Avenue SW, and caroling will begin at 5 p.m. Santa will make an appearance at 4 p.m. at Marina Drive and Main Avenue for photos with children. More information is available from the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce, info@soaplakecoc.org.

    An excited family waits for Santa to make an appearance at last year’s Winterfest in Soap Lake. This year’s event is Dec. 2.
  

Bells on Basin

Ephrata will celebrate Bells on Basin on Dec. 9, including a 5K or 1-mile run at 9 a.m. and Polar Express passports at 10 a.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 121 Alder St. SW. Hot cocoa and popcorn will be served free at 4 p.m., followed by the tree lighting and live music at 4:45 and the Bells on Basin Parade at 5. The event is sponsored by the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce, www.ephratachamber.org.

    The Grinch sits in an orange Grant County Jail jumpsuit on the back of the GCSO’s paddy wagon as part of last year’s Bells on Basin parade in Ephrata. Bells on Basin returns Dec. 9.
  

Quincy Valley Christmas

This Quincy holiday celebration will take place Dec. 1-3: The Christmas Light Parade will start at 5:30 p.m. Friday on Division Street in the Cenex parking lot and finish at the Port of Quincy, 101 F St. SW, for photos with Santa. There will also be a walk-through living Nativity 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Quincy Valley Historical Society & Museum, 415 F St. SW. Saturday there will be a Christmas Market 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Quincy Public Market, 1004 F St. SW, and the Festival of Trees at 6 p.m. at the Quincy Business & Event Center, 111 F St. SW. Sunday the Quincy Valley Allied Arts Community Choir will offer its concert at 6 p.m. at Quincy High School, 403 Jackrabbit St. More information is available from the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce, 509-787-2140.

Ag Parade

Moses Lake’s annual Ag Parade and Street Party will be Dec. 1 at Sinkiuse Square. The party begins at 5 p.m. with music and free french fries and hot chocolate, as well as a Santa sleigh for family photos. At 7 p.m. the parade will roll down Third Avenue with trucks and farm equipment decked out in bright lights. The event is organized by the Downtown Moses Lake Association, www.downtownmoseslake.org.

Wanapum Heritage

The Wanapum Heritage Center, at Priest Rapids Dam near Mattawa, will host Shop till you Drop this Saturday and Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be live demonstrations of beadwork, tule mats, weaving and hemp string, as well as a variety of local and traveling artists offering unique handmade arts and crafts. More information is available by calling 509-766-3461.