Murfreesboro, Tenn. -- Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) held their 22nd annual Earth Day event this past Saturday (April 22, 2023). The event was on the historic downtown Murfreesboro square.

 
Rutherford County’s Earth Day Celebration is held each year to educate and mobilize our community into action to protect and celebrate nature. Earth day is also a time for the younger generation to better understand and learn about the importance of recycling and how valuable the land, water and air around us really are. This year's theme was “Renew Rutherford Together.” The theme encompasses renewable energy, keeping our rivers and streams clean, recycling, planting pollinating plants to support bees and butterflies and supporting the use of sustainable products.

MTE had their electric griddle onsite, which is in a custom pull-behind trailer. Workers were busy throughout the day making their traditional gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and giving them away for free. They also gave away free hot dogs and popcorn on Saturday.

Information on the electric providers Tree Wise program, ProSolar program, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, member service, the EV Car Club and more was available for guests. Vegetation management gave away 500 redbud seedlings, and MTE’s senior leadership team and board members were present to engage with the community and answer any questions members may have.
 
Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation and the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center partnered to offer a free Kids Zone on Saturday. The Kids Zone was geared for children of all ages and featured an inflatable, yard games and hands-on activities.

The 2023 Earth Day Celebration Poster Contest winners will be announced at noon, and the winning posters will be on display. Students were asked to design a poster demonstrating “What can we do to renew Rutherford together?” The contest is sponsored by Murfreesboro Water Resources, the Rutherford County Solid Waste Department, MaxShred, Consolidated Utility District and MTE.
 
Rutherford County’s Earth Day Celebration was a zero-waste event and completely free, thanks to the following event sponsors: Middle Tennessee Electric, Rutherford County, the City of Murfreesboro, the Tennessee Valley Authority, MaxShred, Clark Iron & Metal, Stones River Watershed and Recyclops.