Exhibits, activities on the schedule for local museums

MOSES LAKE — A photo contest in Moses Lake, tractor rides and honeybees in Quincy and ice cream and Scoundrels Getting their Just Deserts in Ephrata are among the activities planned for Grant County museums this summer.

Submissions are now open for the annual photography contest sponsored by the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. Entries will be accepted through July 22, with the exhibit on display from Aug. 1 through 30. 

Tamara Valdez, museum communication coordinator, said the photos will be exhibited outside the museum in the hall of the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St.

“Wind, Water, Fire: How Elements Shape our Landscape” is the 2024 theme. The youth division is open to children and teens two to 17 years of age; there’s also an adult division. Participants can submit up to three original photographs; organizers are asking for high-resolution images.  Submissions must be by email and must include the photo title, photographer’s name, age and phone number. More information will be available on the museum website, www.moseslakemuseum.com.

The Grant County Historical Museum, 742 Basin St. NW, Ephrata, celebrates summer this Saturday with a day of activities immediately following the Sage ‘n Sun parade. Admission will be by donation.

Traditionally the museum’s community days feature tours of the museum’s extensive collection of historic Grant County buildings, which range from a church to a blacksmith shop. There are stick horse races for children, and for 2024 there will be vendors providing face painting and ice cream. The American Legion will host a barbecue. 

As for the bad guys getting their just deserts, typically there are some bad hombres fixin’ to rob the bank, and some stalwart lawmen and lawwomen there to try and stop them. The shootout is performed a couple times during the afternoon. 

The Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum, 415 F St. SW, started its “Toys through Time” summer series last year, and there are two themes for 2024, starting with “Down on the Farm,'' June 21 and 22, and 28 and 29. 

Museum Director Harriet Weber said the first Toys through Time was a lot of fun, for children and adults.

“It was everything we hoped it would be,” she said. 

Activities June 21-22 include a big tractor, little tractors, a display about honeybees with the help of Washington State University students, lessons about crops grown in the Quincy Valley and crafts for children. Farmyard animals will be coming to the museum June 28-29, along with displays of “ridin’ and ropin’” and a young lady who performs music with the help of her pony. 

“Into the Woods: Forts & Fairies” is scheduled for July 12 and 13, and 19 and 20. The July 12, 13 and 19 sessions will include lessons in cardboard construction, how to build fairy gardens and furniture, and working on building a fort. Volunteers will be working on building a two-story fort structure inside the Heritage Barn and the children will help finish it. 

 All Toys through Time events are scheduled for 1 p.m. and are free, with the exception of the “Forest Fun Fest” party.

The July 20 session is the party. Children are encouraged to dress up in their finest forest costumes; the menu will include forest food and beverages, and children will be able to make their own magic icicle. Admission for the party only is $10 per person.

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

    The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center mammoth gives a high-five to a museum visitor. Activities at the museum this summer include a photo contest.
  

    A pair of rowdy characters cause some trouble at the Grant County Historical Society Museum in 2017. A good old-fashioned “shootout” is a tradition at some of the museum’s special events, one of which is scheduled for Saturday.
  

    A participant serves up tea with a doll at the Quincy Valley Museum Toys through Time in 2023. Toys through Time 2024 will feature a farm theme
  

    "Star Wars" characters were among the dress up choices for children at the 2023 Toys through Time exhibits at the Quincy Valley Museum. Toys through Time 2024 starts June 21.