After having lived in The Villages for several years, and being a member of several performing groups, I am accustomed to being in large crowds here.
It is my observation that The Villages does a very poor job in coping with large crowds. Crowd control and traffic control at outside events are almost nonexistent, even for events that are held regularly like the large events at the squares. The Special Events staff whose job it is to control the crowds and traffic -- often don't.
Many residents don't help the situation any, either. I love to attend shows at the Savannah Center and am always appalled at the dozens of people at each show who rush for the exits while the performers are still performing on stage. The patrons' enjoyment of the closing act of the performance is spoiled by these people pushing down the aisles, stepping on feet, blocking views, then hurriedly rushing for the exits while loudly urging each other on. As a performer, it is tough to finish one's performance when, at times, it seems like the audience is rushing out on you and talking over your dialogue or music.
At least at the Savannah Center, exiting the parking lot is no big deal is one allows a few minutes. By 15-20 minutes after the end of the show, all is usually well in the parking lots. My wife and I usually hang around after the shows, talking with friends, using the restroom, etc., and when we leave, we are able to drive right out of the parking lots with no wait.
Another comment (and my rant will be over, I promise) concerns the behavior at the tree lighting ceremonies. Lack of aisles, crowding forward onto the dance floors while the performers are still performing, and carelessness with the lighted candles makes for a high risk situation. I've seen two instances where hair was set afire by careless waving of lighted candles.
My groups and I love to perform. But, from our perspective, many Villagers don't know how to behave in public. Why are so many in such a rush? Do they know a destination other than the one that we all have in common?
Bill
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