Carefree Communities Offers Innovative Lifestyle Event For Snowbird Communities & Resort Guests

LAKELAND, Fla., March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The winners of Carefree's Got Talent amateur talent competitions, which were held at 29 different Carefree Communities across Florida, will gather in Lakeland on March 24, 2015 for a statewide finale competition.  CGT is a signature Carefree event; a one-of-a-kind in the industry and due to the increased interest shown by Carefree's RV Snowbirds and Community guests, this unique competition has grown substantially over the past four years.

"Carefree is finding as today's boomers are transitioning into retirement, they are seeking ways to socialize, share their talents, and give back," says David Napp, Carefree Communities CEO. "Carefree resorts and communities are continually looking for ways to providing a meaningful and vibrant lifestyle to our guests and homeowners, a large number of whom are snowbirds. This unique CGT event was created for them; it has been very well received and helps build a sense of community as guests and homeowners come together to compete and support the winner of their resort."

Preliminary winners will compete at Carefree's Got Talent finale for a $5,000 grand prize, while the second place winner will receive $500.  The finale promises a day of fun, entertainment, and prizes, with dinner provided to all attendees. New this year is the addition of a guest judge, Wayne Nelson from the Little River Band, and a separate online competition whose winners will be showcased at the event.

"Carefree's Got Talent is one of our company's most beloved community building events and this year is shaping up to be the most exciting competition yet," said Colleen Edwards, president of Carefree Communities. "We've had the most preliminary round participation in the event's four year history, the new Lakeland Center venue will allow us to host more than 2,000 fans from our communities for the finale and dinner, and we will honor an organization that is near and dear to our hearts. We've been able to donate substantial dollars to Disabled American Veterans (DAV)," a Charitable Service Trust provides physical and psychological rehabilitation programs for ill, injured, or wounded veterans.  According to Edwards, "Carefree feels passionately about supporting the DAV and its mission to help veterans who served to protect our country and our ideals.  The cause resonates broadly within our communities since many of our residents are veterans." 

Carefree also relies on generous sponsors to help reach their goal of contributing $25,000 to the DAV this year– an increase from the $15,000 raised from sponsors, community residents and attendees in 2014.  This year's major sponsors include Jacobsen Homes and Gordon's Food Service. 

Scottsdale, Ariz. – based Carefree Communities, Inc. is a fully-integrated operating company structured as a private REIT which owns and manages destination recreational vehicle ("RV") parks and senior manufactured home ("MH") communities. Carefree is among the largest owner, operator of RV and MH parks in the United States, with 100+ communities and over 27,500 sites in Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, North Carolina, California, Arizona, and Ontario, Canada.      

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SOURCE Carefree Communities, Inc.