It’s Carefree’s
40th Anniversary!

The breathtaking Town of Carefree, nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, is delighted to announce 2024 as its 40th anniversary since incorporation. This milestone marks not only four decades of community growth, development, and change but it’s also a time to reflect and celebrate the Town’s deep-rooted history dating back to the 1950’s.

As the seasons change, the major anniversary festivities will begin in the fall, with the Town of Carefree and local businesses collaborating to host a series of exciting events. These celebrations aim to bring the community together, fostering a sense of unity and pride in the Town’s accomplishments over the past 40 years and what will be accomplished in the future. Mayor John Crane expresses, “The Carefree 40th Anniversary Celebrations promise to capture our rich history, who we are, and where we are going. We may only be 40 years old, but we have a whimsical story, set in beautiful Sonoran Desert surroundings, to tell. This year will be fun, and we cannot wait to share it.”

Watch the Historical Happy Hour!

Did you know you can watch the Historical Happy Hour event online?

Catch up on all the fun and fascinating stories shared by Ron Weiss, Roy Hunt, Barbara Vander Leest, Biff Miller, Nancy Glenn, and Martha Arnold! These speakers captivated the audience with their deep knowledge of the town, from its early incorporation days to their personal connections with celebrities and town founders.

The event was a wonderful gathering, with guests enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by the talented Spirit in the Desert kitchen staff and wine from our local Brix Wines, while mingling and making connections.

A special thank you goes out to Mayor John Crane and Eric Simonson for their welcoming remarks, Spirit in the Desert for hosting, and Preston Westmoreland for being our engaging talk-show host. We’re also grateful to Varsity Sports Team and Herb Hitchon for livestreaming the event, and to all the incredible participants, including Ruth Palmer, daughter of town founder K.T. Palmer, for attending. A big thanks to our local print shop, The Ink Spot, for designing the 40th anniversary wine tote bags, and to the entire 40th Anniversary Committee for making this event possible. What a fantastic way to kick off our celebrations!

Missed it? Don’t worry! You can watch the talk-show segment online—just click the video below to enjoy the full experience!