White Plains kicks off July 4 celebrations with poor air quality precautions
First aid services are available at White Plains High School Fourth of July celebrations to help those with poor breathing conditions due to the poor air quality.
More Stories
White Plains kicked off early Independence Day weekend celebrations Friday with precautions, due to the poor air quality.
The fields at White Plains High School were taken over by vendors, inflatables, as well as first aid services. Some people may have found that it is especially important to help any revelers who may have poor breathing conditions.
Several expert sources said the New York metropolitan area currently has the second-worst air quality worldwide, after Jakarta, Indonesia.
Larry Stevens, whose band namesake was the headliner of the event said he was somewhat hesitant about performing under such conditions.
"I was a little nervous but not to the point that I thought it was going to actually not going forward. I felt good about it," he said.
Organizers said there was some doubt earlier in the day about whether to have the party but decided to go with it.
Some revelers arrived much later in the evening when there was less smog in the air. Some others brought face masks as a precaution.
White Plains Recreation and Parks Director Wayne Bass had similar advice for people.
"We thought that if people look at their own individual health and determine for themselves what's right for them or not. We went with that and felt that, relatively speaking, it's not perfect but we thought it was a good chance," Bass said.
Bass added that despite the poor air quality and despite some doubt, no vendors nor any acts pulled out of the celebration.
Overall, Bass said he just wanted people to listen to their bodies and make the right choice they felt was right for them.
