Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Organizers seek city support for Second Annual Big Rig Roundup to fund local charities
Summary
Organizers Darren Marishka and Cody Monroe told the Dalhart City Council they have booked the coliseum for Aug. 23 and plan a semitruck poker run and other attractions to raise funds for a soccer field and for community member Hector Robles, who is battling cancer.
Organizers of the Second Annual Big Rig Roundup asked the Dalhart City Council on Feb. 24 for logistical support and potential funding help for the event, which they plan to stage Aug. 23 at the coliseum.
The request matters because organizers expect the event to draw visitors to Dalhart and raise money for two local causes: upkeep of a community soccer field and assistance for Hector Robles, who organizers said is suffering from cancer. "We wanna make another donation for him and his family," organizer Darren Marishka said during the council's public comment period.
Marishka and fellow organizer Cody Monroe said they already have the coliseum reserved for Aug. 23 and plan a semitruck poker run with a buy-in fee; proceeds would be split between the soccer field and the Robles family. They said last year's truck show was affected by rain and fog, which kept some rigs away, and that this year they have a planning board in place and expect a larger turnout. "We already have the coliseum booked for August 23," Marishka said. "We're gonna try to put one of those on for semis, and we're gonna run through a few towns here and convoy through and come back."
Council members and staff asked logistical questions about overnight parking and funding. An exchange in the meeting indicated organizers could apply for hotel occupancy tax funding; organizer Monroe and council staff member Ashley agreed to follow up. "They can apply," a council member said when asked about hotel occupancy tax money, and an organizer later said, "So Ashley, I'll get with you on that." Organizers also said they have expanded their board and will organize volunteers and site cleanup after the event.
No formal city action was taken during the meeting; organizers were told to follow the city's application process for hotel-occupancy-tax funds and event permits. The council's public comment period included the presentation; staff and organizers agreed to coordinate next steps ahead of the summer event.
Organizers asked the public to attend and to encourage truck owners to register; they said proceeds will go to community needs and to help a family in town.
