Escapees July-August 2023

escapade

Another Successful Escapees Annual Event Revisiting 62nd Escapade 2023 DUANE AND JEAN MATHES #115955 • Photos by HEATHER DELANEY #180059

of photographs depicting some of the major milestones throughout the club’s 45-year history. Attendees could start their day with complimentary coffee, donuts, and conversation each morning. Throughout the week, 2,880 donuts and 318 gallons of coffee were consumed. Many chose to get their morn ings started with a yoga class in Central Park. For those wanting to kick up their heels, line dance classes were a popular place to spend their afternoons. The generous bidding in this year’s Cupcakes-for CARE auction saw a dozen cupcakes bring in over $5,500, which equates to $458 per cupcake! This year we introduced Dip-a-Chip for CARE. Contes tants were invited to prepare their favorite dip recipes and participate in the competition. Attendees sampled a variety of delicious dips and voted with a few bucks going to their favorites. All proceeds went to CARE. All in all, more than $10,328 was raised for Escapees CARE throughout the event through various fundraising actions, once again, the generosity of this Escapees community. Each evening people were entertained by outstanding acts. Folks were dancing in the aisles as Few Miles South brought their unique style of country music all the way from Georgia. Native Spirit, a Native Amer ican dance group, enthralled the audience with their

The 62nd Escapade is behind us, and all we can say is Wow! What an amazing event it was. Like all Escapades, the week was packed with seminars, socials and high-en ergy entertainment to fi ll everyone’s days. Earlier this year, over 950 RVs rolled into the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona, for Escapade, the largest gath ering of the Escapees community. The air was fueled with excitement as nearly 2,000 people fi lled the venue for fi ve days of fun, friendship and education. Many who came were returning attendees, and yet many more were experiencing Escapade for the fi rst time. The air was abuzz with enthu siasm, and the smiles on people’s faces showed they were having a great time. A special highlight this year was the celebration of Escapees’ 45th anniversary. In honor of the anniversary, attendees had the opportunity to walk down memory lane and view a collection

14

ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2023