PUNTA GORDA/ENGLEWOOD BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2020) – Hundreds of racers will gather at the Charlotte BMX track in Punta Gorda’s Carmalita Park Oct. 23 – 25, for the USA BMX Sunshine State Nationals. Charlotte County last hosted a USA BMX Sunshine State Nationals event Feb. 13 – 15, 2015. That competition generated an estimated $750,000 in direct expenditures and participants and spectators engendered more than 1,500 hotel room nights.

An estimated 600 riders in all age groups from across the United States are anticipated to participate in this year’s competition. About 2,000 family members will accompany them. The event is a partnership with Charlotte BMX, Charlotte County Community Services, and the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau. Charlotte BMX is instrumental in providing logistical support and volunteers to USA BMX, the sanctioning organization.

“Charlotte BMX has hosted over five state and national qualifiers. Each event generated an economic impact of more than $250,000 in Charlotte County. In total, our volunteer-operated facility has generated over $1 million. We are extremely excited to host a USA BMX National in 2020. This accomplishment is only possible because of our volunteers, both parents, and riders who have dedicated countless hours to make our facility world-class. Also, during our bidding process we received support of the Charlotte County Commissioners, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau, and Charlotte County Community Services. This event will massively benefit local businesses as well as our community, and we are excited to welcome all visitors!” said Amanda Carr, President of Charlotte BMX and an accomplished professional BMX racer and Olympian.

USA BMX is committed to providing a safe, quality, and fun environment. They will be implementing precautionary safety measures based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state, county, and local officials. These safety measures include limiting spectators to one per participant in the track viewing area, additional hand washing stations and hand sanitizer stations throughout the venue, event staff and volunteers will wear face coverings and use hand sanitizer throughout the event, and all staff will have their temperatures taken. All athletes and spectators are advised to observe social distancing protocols.

Growing in popularity, BMX bicycle riding is a family-friendly sport. Each year, USA BMX sanctions and hosts approximately 30 other national-level events around the country.

Other state-level and regional championship races hosted by Charlotte BMX include the 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015 Sunshine State BMX Series Championship Qualifier, a USA BMX Florida Championship Series event in 2018, and in August, the 2020 Gold Cup Qualifier for the regional championships. All events for the 2020 competition will be held at Charlotte BMX at 2505 Carmalita Street, Punta Gorda, Fla. Event information is available on the track’s website charlottebmx.net.

ABOUT PUNTA GORDA/ENGLEWOOD BEACH

Located on Florida’s coveted Southwest Gulf Coast, halfway between Tampa and Naples, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is a charming collection of coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, the area offers pristine, unspoiled beauty. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach showcases a variety of vibrant experiences. From beaches to boating, hiking to harbor tours, fishing to nature discovery; to sun, shelling and fossilized sharks teeth, the destination celebrates the active traveler and lively local in search of relaxation and unlimited discovery. Most notably known for its 830 miles of pristine unparalleled shoreline, including captivating river passages, a mangrove-edged aquatic preserve and more than a dozen miles of natural Gulf beaches, the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast includes the areas of Boca Grande, Don Pedro Island, El Jobean, Englewood-Cape Haze, Little Gasparilla Island, Manasota Key, Knight Island, Placida, Babcock Ranch, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. To learn more about Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, visit PureFlorida.com, call 1-800-652-6090 or engage with the destination on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @RealPureFlorida. Looking for fast, unique destination facts? Click here.

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For additional information, call 941-743-1900.