Hey Tri-Cities! Ever wish you could spend a few hours with a local celebrity/influencer who inspires you? Well now is your chance! The Tri-Cities Celebrity Charity Dinner is a chauffeured dinner for 2 with a local celebrity, with all proceeds going to a local charity chosen by the celebrity. Get to know each other on the way to dinner by TC Black in your chauffeured SUV, then enjoy fine dining and conversation over dinner donated by Century 21 Tri-Cities.
Growing up in the Tri-Cities, Erik Mertens - sometimes better known as Erik the Peanut Guy - dreamed of playing professional baseball in front of the hometown fans. Now fully grown, he tells bad jokes into a microphone and throws peanuts. Close enough. Working for the Tri-City Dust Devils as their on-field host and peanut vendor has given Erik the opportunity to combine his favorite things: baseball, the Tri-Cities community, and talking. The Dust Devils are the High-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and play at award-winning Gesa Stadium in Pasco. In 2012, the team honored Erik with a bobblehead giveaway and eight years later in 2020, the team surprised him with a life-sized bobblehead statue at the ballpark’s front gates. You may also recognize Erik as the arena host for the Tri-City Americans. He has worked with the Dust Devils for all 24 years of their existence and has no immediate plans for retirement.
