Commemorates 25 Years of Incorporation and 50 Years of History

CAREFREE – Celebrate Arizona history in Carefree when the town commemorates 25 years of incorporation with a full day of festivities throughout the community on Sat., Oct. 3.

Events are free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to bring canned goods to benefit the Foothills Food Bank. Drop off stations will be at each of the day’s events. More information for visitors is available at www.Carefree.org.

The celebration takes place at historic venues throughout the town.

“Carefree is celebrating 25 years of incorporation, but we are also commemorating 50 years of history,” said event organizer Joanne Gemmill. “Although we incorporated in 1985, our history dates back to the 1950s. Both the Sundial and the very first Carefree home were built in 1959” she said.

Vintage Aircraft Display
Meet the pilots and see vintage bomber and historical planes as the private Sky Ranch opens its doors to the public for the day and plays host to a static air show. Planes include the Stearman, P-51, Bulldog, Spitfire, a P-38 and more. Kiwanis of Carefree will host a pancake breakfast and barbeque lunch for attendees.

Exotic Car Show
Get a close look at more than 100 exotic cars including a Bugatti Veyron valued at more than two million dollars! See Porches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Jaguars, Corvettes, Cadillacs, street rods and more. This show is organized by Carefree business owner Sue Bickerdyke of Sue Bickerdyke Interiors. The Foothills Caring Corps will be on hand to serve delicious food and drink throughout the day.

Labyrinth Walks, Pet Adoptions and Non-Profit Activities
Soak in the serenity of the Sonoran Desert in the heart of downtown Carefree. Stroll the meditative labyrinth or take a short nature walk circling this special 28-room retreat and conference center with a resort like feel. Carefree area non-profits will be represented including the Foothills Animal Rescue who is offering pet adoptions, and the Foothills Foodbank who will be collecting canned goods.

Fire Station Tours
Stop by Carefree’s new award-winning fire station and enjoy a tour, visit with the firefighters and a look at the state-of-the-art emergency services are offered there. The structure was designed by LEA Architects led by Lawrence Enyard and won a Design
Excellence Honor Award in 2008.

Get your first glimpse of Carefree’s new Town Hall and meet the town’s elected Councilmen and women and town staff. Enjoy a piece of birthday cake and view the town’s historical exhibit.

The Sundial and Botanical Gardens Self-Guided Tours
The Sundial that sits along Easy Street can still be used to mark time and the beautiful botanical gardens that surround it offer the peaceful beauty Carefree is known for. Learn how a sundial works, walk through the gardens and visit the cool fountain, or the take the kids down the larger than life Gila Monster slide. Enjoy native vegetation complemented by beautiful sculpture along the way.

The Kiwanis Club of Carefree donated the Sundial to the community in memory of the town’s founder and fellow Kiwanian K.T. Palmer. It is the third largest sundial in the world and is one of the most photographed landmarks in Carefree. The Sundial reflects the town’s original motto of “Carefree Where The Sun Tells Time.”

Open House Carefree Resort and Villas
Need a break for delicious food and or an iced cold drink? Choose from several resort restaurants. Or simply enjoy some time in the sun by the pool. The facility will feature an open house for anniversary visitors.

The town of Carefree is located just minutes north of Scottsdale and Phoenix in the foothills of the Sonoran Desert. With a population of nearly 3,000, the community is known for it’s slightly cooler temperatures, quirky street names and its extreme mountain home architecture.

For more information call the Town of Carefree, 480-488-3686, or visit www.Carefree.org.