Upcoming Summer Fun Events in the Local Community

Efratta — The long summer evenings seem like a good time to go outside. Three local towns will help families make the most of their summer evenings with a monthly series of free outdoor movies. At Ephrata, there is also a free summer music series.

The Ephrata Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor films in June and July, with a special bonus film showing in August at the city pool’s Splash Zone. Parks and Recreation Director Traci Bennett said people will be charged a fee to enter the splash zone.

Quincy Parks and Recreation will be showing one film in June and two in July. The City of Matawa is partnering with other organizations to sponsor one film per month.

Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

The Mattawa film will be screened at Hung Tak Memorial Park, 101 Government Road. They’re not the only thing going on in the park on movie night—city officials are working to get organizations to set up kiosks, and events for kids are planned, as are dinners.Each Mattawa Movie Night is scheduled between 4pm and 9:30pm

“Breeds: New Age” will premiere on June 23, sponsored by the Washington Growers Union. “Emperor’s Fresh Air” is scheduled for July 21, sponsored by Seattle Community Church, and “Bad Guys” is scheduled for August 4, sponsored by Columbia Basin Health Association.

“Bad Guys,” Quincy’s first film of the summer, is scheduled to open June 24 at Lauzier Park Stage. The movie starts at dusk. “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is set to hit theaters on July 8, and “Boom” is set to hit theaters on July 22.

Quincy Youth Action Interactive will offer offers, according to the city’s website.

Ephrata’s summer movie series begins June 30 with “Toy Story” at Patrick Park, located at the intersection of 1st Avenue NW and Patrick Road. “Top Gun: Maverick” is scheduled to be released on July 8, and “Elf” is scheduled to be released on July 21. All movies start at dusk.

Splash Zone will host the finale “Luca” on August 4th.

“We always do a water-themed (film) within the splash zone,” Bennett said.

Ephrata’s summer music series runs from 7 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. at Rock Park at 32 Basin Street NW and is in partnership with the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce, Bennett said.

“We do a band show every other Thursday,” she said.

Most of the lineup is ready, but there is one spot left, she said.

“I also want a band,” she said.

Interested musicians may contact Bennett in the Office of Parks and Recreation at 509-754-4426, or email tbennett@ephrata.org.