PHOENIX (August 7, 2018) – Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) is proud to present their Spotlight Award to the Town of Carefree and CIVANA Carefree Resort for their innovative and environmentally friendly alternative to a Fourth of July fireworks display.
Every year, smoke from fireworks displays raise PM 2.5 levels, contributing to air quality issues and causing breathing difficulties for many residents. In addition, high fire danger due to the ongoing drought can make fireworks displays especially hazardous in outlying parts of the valley.
This year the Town of Carefree, in partnership with CIVANA Carefree Resort, opted for a synchronized drone display in place of traditional fireworks.
The drones, which were illuminated and synchronized to form various 3-dimensional shapes, hovered around 300 feet in the air and proved to be a smart alternative to the smoke, noise pollution, and fire danger of typical fireworks.
“The Town of Carefree is pleased to have partnered with the CIVANA Carefree Resort to bring an innovative, exciting and environmentally sensitive event to Carefree’s residents. The one-of-a kind LED-lit Drone show is the next generation of fireworks displays, and generated positive media support for CIVANA Carefree, the Town of Carefree and the State of Arizona with 440 media stations reaching more than 30 million people throughout the United States and Europe,” Carefree Mayor Les Peterson said. “An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people showing up for an event that was planned and executed in four days is a testament to the power of government and a private enterprise working together in a public private partnership for the benefit of the environment. We should all be doing more of that.”
The Maricopa County Air Quality Spotlight Award recognizes and honors outstanding innovative efforts to help reduce pollution emissions, clean our air and keep residents healthy.
“The Spotlight Award is presented to businesses or individuals who directly or indirectly reduce pollutant emissions, demonstrate innovation, offer sustainable outcomes and provide a model for others to follow,” Maricopa County Air Quality Director Phil McNeely said. “Maricopa County Air Quality Department hopes that with their initiative and creativity, the Town of Carefree and CIVANA Carefree resort have set the example for other municipalities to consider healthier and cleaner non-polluting events.”
The presentation will take place Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 5pm during the Town of Carefree’s Town council meeting. The meetings are held at 33 Easy Street, Carefree, Arizona.
To read more about the Spotlight Award and to view past winners, visit www.maricopa.gov/1797/Air-Quality-Award-Programs.
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About Maricopa County Air Quality Department
The Maricopa County Air Quality Department is a regulatory agency whose goal is to ensure federal clean air standards are achieved and maintained for the residents and visitors of Maricopa County. The department is governed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and follows air quality standards set forth by the federal Clean Air Act.
The department offers air quality information and resources on its Clean Air Make More website. Visit www.CleanAirMakeMore.com to learn more.
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