(Photo Courtesy of Richard Rodriguez) Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware hands Florence Tarrant the keys to her new air-friendly hybrid SUV. The Bullard, Texas retiree won the car in the annual Drive Clean Across Texas sweepstakes, which encourages Texas motorists to take simple steps reduce air pollution. One lucky driver in the Lone Star State has a new reason to breathe easier. Drive Clean Across Texas, the nation’s first statewide air quality public education campaign, this week announced that Florence Tarrant of Bullard is the grand prize winner of its annual online sweepstakes that promotes ways to reduce air pollution.

Tarrant, a 68-year-old, semi-retired plastics factory worker, picked up a new 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid at a press event Thursday morning in Dallas. Representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) joined campaign partners NAPA Auto Parts and the Dallas Cowboys to present her with the keys at the Dallas Cowboys’ Valley Ranch headquarters. NAPA Auto Parts donated the hybrid vehicle in a show of support for the air quality campaign.

Tarrant was selected in a random drawing from among 37,000 entries. Since entering the Drive Clean sweepstakes and taking its “clean air challenge,” she has focused on two key recommendations of the Drive Clean campaign – driving within the speed limit and combining trips in her vehicle – to do her part to help clean up the air in Texas.

“We are thrilled to turn over the hybrid to an environmental steward like Flo- bands from Bullard High School and Brook Hill School, drill teams, veterans, floats, fire trucks and more.

Parade winners included Texas National Bank, first; Whitehouse Old Fire Truck, second; Rotaract Club, third; and Mt. Nevelton, honorable mention. The Chicken Express float won the Judges’ Choice Award.

The festival also featured food, information and sales booths, a car show, a carnival, dog training shows, cheerleader and drill team displays and more.

“I appreciate the committee that organized the festival,” Adams-Wilks said. “It takes a great group of people to pull off such an amazing event.”