Arizona Joins the Nation in Celebrating 250 Years
As the United States marks its 250th year, Arizona is gearing up to contribute to the nationwide festivities with its own series of events and programs. The Arizona America250 Commission, formed under the guidance of Governor Katie Hobbs, is spearheading these efforts, drawing representation from various sectors across the state, including business, the arts, and tribal nations.
Marcus Carney, the head of Visit Yuma and a member of the commission, shared insights into the planned activities. “The website is America250AZ.org. You can go on there and there is a calendar of events of all the different things around the state,” he explained.
Discover Arizona with Passport250
A key feature of the celebrations is the Passport250 app, which highlights 250 unique locations across Arizona. “There are 250 different locations around the state. They are museums, they are parks, they are restaurants, they are attractions, they are history-focused locations, and a lot of other stops around the state,” Carney noted.
The app not only aims to promote these diverse spots but also encourages exploration of all 15 counties in Arizona, rewarding participants with sticker prizes for their visits.
Funding the Celebrations
Despite the enthusiasm, the commission operates without state funding. Instead, it relies on a combination of sponsorships, community backing, volunteers, and a modest federal contribution of around $10,000 to bring these celebrations to life.
