Meridian 91²Ö¿â hosted its first-ever Earth Day Hooray celebration Saturday, April 18th, at the Noble Hill Landfill, welcoming ~200 guests from across Etowah County, Alabama for a day of family fun, environmental education, and community appreciation.
The free event was designed to celebrate Earth Day while highlighting Meridian 91²Ö¿ââs commitment to protecting the natural environment and serving the local community. Guests enjoyed a wide range of activities, including pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatable attractions, environment-themed crafts, facepainting, and the companyâs signature Touch-A-Truck experience, where children had the opportunity to explore garbage trucks and heavy âyellow ironâ equipment used in landfill operations.
A new and meaningful addition to this yearâs event was Meridian 91²Ö¿ââs USA250 letter-writing campaign, where young attendees created heartfelt messages of appreciation for Alabama-based military personnel serving overseas.
One of the dayâs most impactful highlights was the overwhelming participation in guided hayride landfill tours. Approximately 180 guests experienced firsthand how a modern municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill operates. Visitors observed the construction of a new disposal cell and gained insight into the extensive environmental protections in place.
âMany attendees were surprised to learn that a well-managed MSW landfill is highly engineered, environmentally responsible, and does not produce the odors or visual impacts often assumed,â said Cooper Tharp, Meridian 91²Ö¿ââs General Manager of Noble Hill Landfill. âIt was rewarding to see so many guests engaged, asking questions, and leaving with a better understanding of the critical role we play in protecting the environment.â
Guests also enjoyed a complimentary barbecue lunch served by Little Bridge Marina, along with custom-made icees provided by The Chill Spot, ensuring a festive and family-friendly atmosphere throughout the day.
Meridian 91²Ö¿â confirmed that Earth Day Hooray will become an annual tradition at Noble Hill Landfill and will remain a free event to thank the Etowah County community while continuing to educate residents about the essential services the landfill provides to the region.
âOur goal is to build transparency, trust, and pride in the work we do every day,â Tharp added. âNoble Hill Landfill is a vital part of the infrastructure supporting Northeast Alabama, and we are proud to serve this community.â