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Carefree Truth
Issue #902, March 1, 2021

Steve Prokopek noted that there is a need to be cautious now, especially when it comes to events.  There were monthly discussions held at Council meetings leading up to the 28th Winter Carefree Thunderbird Artists (TA) show that took place on the weekend of January 15th-17th to keep the Council updated on Governor Ducey's December Covid 19 order and to be properly prepared to host a safe show. 
 
 
TA has been a valuable part of the community for many years.  Carefree and TA put together a pandemic mitigation plan which was submitted to the Arizona Department of Health that complied with the CDC requirements and went even beyond those.  The modifications from previous TA shows included no alcohol, no live entertainment in the Pavilion, and a 100% mask requirement for all the vendors.  The vendors signed compliance contracts stating they would wear face coverings at all times.  
 
 
TA held an art show in Surprise the weekend before the Carefree show.  Mr. Prokopek made random visits to see how that show was handled.  TA complied with the pandemic requirements during their Surprise show.  TA enforced all the rules in both towns.  It created a safer and friendlier environment.  The Carefree Desert Garden was kept open so vendors could go there to eat and get a breath of fresh air, and so Carefree residents could take walks and walk their dogs.  The Garden has lots of space to allow for social distancing.
 
 
TA didn't charge admission and there was no fencing since there were no wine sales.  This allowed for many points of entry and exit without people congregating at any one point. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) off-duty deputies were paid by TA to provide security and make sure the mitigation requirements were followed.  Mr. Prokopek thought the deputies on the streets in their uniforms helped ensure there were no issues.  He got zero complaints from the public, and received several positive phone calls with feedback saying this was the way to do an event.  After the show, he took a "straw poll" of the businesses along Easy Street and Ho & Hum Roads.  They all said they were delighted with the event, and it gave a boost to their businesses.  They looked forward to TA's return in March.
 
 
Everyone felt safe.  Having visited outdoor malls like Keirland and Scottsdale Quarter, as well as the indoor mall at Fashion Square, Mr. Prokopek saw far more behaviors that put the public at risk.  Carefree and TA did it the right way.  He thanked TA and their vendors for doing a really great job in complying to the Covid 19 order and the mitigation plan.  He recommended that the Town allow the March 14th-16th TA show to move ahead using the same mitigation plan that was used for the January show.  They would play it by ear for the TA show next November.
 
 
Mayor Les Peterson said it was an excellent presentation.  The Council had put it into the hands of Steve, Kandace, and Gary, and allowed it to go forward barring any recommendations from those staff members to cancel it.  All the indications were very positive.  He also thanked Denise and Hailey with TA.  
 
 
Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer added that compliance was so good that even early in the morning, while the artists were setting up and the show had not yet opened, all the artists were wearing their masks.  Hailey said the artists were told to wear their masks at all times, even during set-up, unless they were eating.
 
https://vimeo.com/509116451
 
 
Lyn Hitchon
 
 
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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