The event will be held April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Organizers are expecting a record number of visitors to attend the event  to make the annual Earth Day Celebration – it’s 10th anniversary – an extravaganza that offers a wide variety of activities for young and old alike.

One reason the event was moved is to accommodate the increasing number of participants who flock to the event to show interest in preservation of Earth’s ecology and more efficient use of Earth’s resources and energy. The public square also involves more county agencies and creates incentives for people from throughout the county to participate.

Among the activities featured during the event will be a limited tree giveaway, free popcorn, hot dogs and drinks plus games and other kid-specific activities, balloons, brochures on earth-friendly conservation practices and door prizes. and more information booths than last year.

Returning this year to provide entertainment are MTSU’s Jazz Ensemble,  Murfreesboro’s Steel-de-Boro steel drum band and Creative Rhythm, a local percussion ensemble. New this year and leading off the event at 10 a.m. will be a local trio headed by guitarist Larry Pinkerton and accompanied by drummer John Green and bassist Chris Shofner.

Also on tap is the much-anticipated return engagement of Murfreesboro Electric Department’s (MED) mascot Louie the Lightning Bug. MED will provide information and sign-ups for the authority’s Green Power Switch program.

This program gives customers and opportunity to purchase power that has been produced by renewable resources such as wind, solar, and methane gas.  For more information on the Green Power Switch Program visit www.greenpowerswitch.com or contact your local power company.

MED is a major sponsor of the event and its personnel will be on hand to help explain the program and sign up residential and commercial green power customers.

A major sponsor in addition to MED returning this year is General Mills and its subsidiary Pillsbury whose mascot the Pillsbury Dough Boy will be walking through the crowd and the company’s environmental mascot Mr. Wegs, representing the company’s commitment to conservation, will present programs between musical acts throughout the day. Other sponsors include MaxShred, Murfreesboro City Schools, Kroger, Inc., Lewis Brothers Bakery and the City of Murfreesboro.