BY: PIMA COUNTY

Come celebrate the many ways you can “go green” for blue skies. Local agencies and businesses concerned about air quality and traffic congestion are joining forces to promote the use of alternative modes of transportation during this year’s Clean Air Days.

Bookmans Entertainment Exchange is a sponsor of this year's Clean Air Days & Bike Fest.

Area residents are being encouraged to drive less and carpool, walk, bicycle, take the bus, or drive a clean-fueled vehicle to improve air quality and possibly win a prize.

Seventeen Clean Air Days & Bike Fest activities are scheduled from Sunday, March 30 through Wednesday, April 30 at various locations around town. A special Clean Air Contest kicks off on March 30th and runs through April 24th. If an individual takes action to reduce air pollution, and a Clean Air Contest entry form is completed and submitted, the participant will be entered into a prize drawing for gifts donated by local businesses.

“With concerns about global warming, traffic congestion, sustainability, and air quality being expressed by many on a daily basis, this is a great community event designed to encourage actions that will improve our quality of life,” said Beth Gorman, Program Manager at Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ). “It is free and filled with opportunities for fun and learning for all who participate,” she continued.

Activities include a Bike Movie Fest at the Fox Theater, Green Commute Day, Walk & Roll to School Day, Beginners Bike Ride, Sun Tran Free Ride Day, Bike 2 Work Day Celebrations, a Ride with the Mayor of Tucson, Bike to the Zoo Day, Tucson Earth Day, a “Food for Thought” Library Lecture Series on Ways to Bring Earth Day Home, and more. On Saturday, April 19th, the Tucson Earth Day Festival and Parade will be held at Reid Park from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. with live music from Batucaxé and Shadz Band, a Clean-fueled Car & Truck Show, a Model Solar Race Car Competition, environmentally-related booths and information, recycling collection of used eyeglasses and cell phones, and other activities. Secured bicycle parking will be offered at many of the venues. 

The schedule of Clean Air Days & Bike Fest events and the contest entry forms are available at www.cleanair.pima.gov. Entry forms received by PDEQ by April 24th will be entered into a random drawing for great prizes including meals at local restaurants, gift certificates, hotel stays, and more. 

Clean Air Days event sponsors include the City of Tucson and Pima County Departments of Transportation, Pima Association of Governments, Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, Sun Tran, Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Southwest Gas, and Bookmans Entertainment Exchange.