SENIOR EVENTS: October 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The leaves are changing color and fall fun abounds, both for seniors and for their grandchildren. Check out these options:

Oct. 3

Pumpkin Palooza Paint Night

Visit the Country Deli at 245 Basin St. NW in Ephrata for a night of painting with Rustic Girl Painting. For $35, attendees will be provided with a canvas and paints and the opportunity to learn a bit about how to paint a wonderful fall scene. Visit https://bit.ly/42FoEvY for more information.

Oct. 3-4

’90s Flannel Fest

Head to the Grant County Fairgrounds for a celebration of all things ’90s grunge. Tribute bands celebrating a wide selection of talent will hit the stage, including 40 oz to Freedom (Sublime), Jar of Flies (Alice in Chains), Head over Feet (Alanis Morisette), Nevermind (Nirvana), Fighting Foos (Foo Fighters), Rockville (REM), Linger (The Cranberries), Parabola (TOOL), Tragic Kingdom (No Doubt), Plush (Stone Temple Pilots) and 21 Guns (Green Day). More information available at 90sflannelfest.com.

Oct. 4

Mennonite Country Auction

A family-friendly event. Many incredible quilts and other handicrafts will be offered for auction, as well as specialty meats, cheeses, pies, apple butter, fresh-pressed apple cider and homemade ice cream. Many craft and bargain booths as well, and music by the Liberty Quartet. Proceeds support Mennonite World Relief efforts. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Menno Mennonite Church, 1378 N. Damon Road, Ritzville (south of Wheeler Road about halfway between Ritzville and Moses Lake). Info: mennonitecountryauction.org.

Oct. 8-12

WA Cutting Horse Fall Show

Witness displays of precision and skill at the Washington Cutting Horse Show hosted by the Washington Cutting Horse Association. Professional-level horse riding will be on display. Visit the WCHA website at wchacutting.com for more information. Event hosted by the Grant County Fairgrounds.

Oct. 11

Crossroads Pregnancy Center Banquet

Fundraiser dinner to support Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center in Moses Lake and Ephrata. Speaker is Dr. William Lile. 6 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: pregnancywa.org.

Oct. 12

Crestview Christian School Fall Festival

Pony rides, hayride, bounce house, kid zone games, face painting, cake walk and food. Fun for the whole family. 1-5 p.m. at 1601 W. Valley Road, Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4273.

Oct. 16-Nov. 2

‘Little Shop of Horrors’

The Masquers Theater presents the dark musical comedy by Disney veterans Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. Seymour Krelborn is a meek and dejected assistant at a floral shop who happens upon a strange plant, which he affectionately names “Audrey II” after his crush at the shop. Little does he know that this strange and unusual plant will develop a soulful R&B voice, a potty mouth and an unquenchable thirst for human blood. Thursdays and Fridays 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 2 p.m. at Masquers Theater, 322 W. Main Ave., Soap Lake. Info and tickets: www.masquers.com.

Oct. 18

Youth Dynamics Fundraiser & Auction

Offer support to a local nonprofit youth ministry that works to connect students with caring adults and faith. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser will help with leadership development and ministry programs. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Grant County Fairgrounds Commercial building. For more information on Youth Dynamics, visit https://yd.org/communities/washington/moses-lake or https://bit.ly/3W6Fnod.

Othello Fall Festival

Join the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce at Kiwanis Park in Othello for its annual Fall Festival from noon to 10 p.m. on a Saturday. The event will include a trunk or treat, contests, food and family activities. A variety of vendors will be on hand for a little fall shopping.

Oct. 25

Barrel racing fun

Join the Columbia Basin Barrel Racing Club for the NFR Winter Classic 5D race hosted at the Grant County Fairgrounds. Local and regional competitors will sprint through the arena, weaving through barrels for cash prizes and glory. More information is available on the CBBRC’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ColumbiaBasinBarrelRacingClub. Event begins at 10 a.m.

Oct. 31

Ephrata Trick-or-Treat

Bring the grandchildren to downtown Ephrata for a trick-or-treating adventure. The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce will have a haunted park at Rock Park in downtown and businesses will be open to welcome ghouls and goblins alike. Visit Ephratachamber.org for more information. Fun begins at 4 p.m. and will last about three hours.

    Gene Smith, 73, passed away peacefully, Sept. 23, 2025, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington.
  

    Nirvana tribute band Nevermind will return to the Grant County Fairgrounds this year for Flannel Fest Oct. 3-4.