LIBERTY — In addition to providing some free fun, last weekend’s Tri-Corners Fishing Rodeo and Fun Fest raised money and food donations for E.M. Holt Elementary School’s backpack program.
The backpack program received 80 cubic feet of donated food supplies for children who may otherwise go without a structured meal while not in school, according to Meridian Waste North Carolina LLC, which put on the event. By placing food items in backpacks, children were ensured confidentiality about their lack of food. Recipients included low-income children with some homeless youngsters as beneficiaries.
Meridian Waste held its inaugural Fishing Rodeo and Fun Fest on Saturday, April 13, at Tri-Corners Construction & Demolition Landfill off Foster Store Road. Meridian Waste purchased the landfill, formerly known as Coble’s Sandrock, in September 2023. It organized the event as part of a pledge to be a strong community partner.
The event was the idea of sisters Deanna Martin, general manager of Meridian Waste’s Triad Hauling operation, and Jenny Gum, top sales representative for Triad Hauling and Tri-Corners Landfill. The are the daughters of Kent and Brenda Coble, former owners of the landfill and hauling companies. They sisters remained on staff after Meridian Waste bought the business.
Martin and Gum, along with Tri-Corners Landfill Manager Josh Gustaf, hosted the free community event to bring neighbors and community members to the disposal facility for a better understanding of how the landfill operates. They also provided informative tours.
The fun day demonstrated the many natural attributes of the landfill property, including a well-stocked fishing lake and rolling pasture lands. The family-friendly event included a competitive fishing rodeo, an interactive simulator for driving and operating earth moving equipment, inflatable children’s games, a mechanical bull, face painting, a bubble station and field amusements, and there was a free Zack’s hot-dog lunch for all attendees.
Patrick Messinger, Meridian Waste’s area president, said he was pleased by the positive response to the event.
i“We served 755 picnic lunches to guests, gave away hundreds of children’s Earth Day gift bags and awarded multiple fishing rodeo prizes by age groups.” he said. “Games included fun competitions for the longest, heaviest and smallest fish, and raffle prizes. ... We can’t wait for our Tri-Corners fall 2024 community event to focus on a pick-your-pumpkin patch and other surprise activities.”
