From the standpoint of Mother Nature, Saturday (4/22/2017) was a perfect Earth Day in Murfreesboro. Instead of being held around the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse, the event was moved inside to the Patterson Community Center. This year's theme, "Nothing would sting more than bee extinction," focused on the underappreciated insect contributors to our environment.

Earth Day Chair Amy Byers said, "The bee population is just one of the challenges we're facing right now, but there are simple ways we can all learn to improve our environment."

The growing popularity of getting involved in bee keeping was the topic of interest at Saturday's 2017 Earth Day celebration.

Booths showed ways to strengthen our ecology and conserve our natural resources, fun areas for the youngsters, music and lots of food were all enjoyed at the 16h Annual Earth Day celebrations that was rained inside to the Patterson Center on Mercury Boulevard.

The event was zero-waste and completely free, thanks to sponsors like General Mills, Kroger and Lewis Brothers Bakery who provide hot dogs, popcorn and cookies baked by Siegel High School culinary students. Over 30 businesses and organizations will be participating, including the Rutherford County Beekeeper's Association, Beesley Animal Foundation, Stones River Recycling and many others.

There was also a contest encouraging local students to promote the importance of protecting and preserving our natural resources. Students of Murfreesboro City Schools submitted video essays demonstrating why protecting the bee population is important to our future. Winners will be announced during the celebration.

MED founded Murfreesboro's Earth Day Celebration in 2001 as a way to promote TVA's Green Power Switch Program, which gives customers the opportunity to buy a $4 block of green power generated by wind, solar or methane gas. Visit MED's booth at the Celebration for more information, or visit www.greenpowerswitch.com.

"We want to say thank you to all of the sponsors who make Murfreesboro's Earth Day Celebration great," said Byers. Sponsors include the Murfreesboro Electric Department, Rutherford County, City of Murfreesboro, General Mills, Kroger, Lewis Brothers Bakery, TVA, Max Shred, Clark Iron and Metal, All in One Recycling, Siegel High School Culinary Department, and Murfreesboro City Schools.