Some afternoon at Brownwood!

[RockyMountainMan]

Here's a big shoutout to all you wonderful horse lovers who showed up at Brownwood today for the "let's wait 90 mins. to see 4 horses and a beer wagon make two, one minute laps around the square" event.

Big kudos go out to the 20 people who jumped in front of my 93 year old wheelchair bound father just as the equestrian team passed us, blocking his view. I hope you all got that perfect picture to send to the kids back in Buzzard's Breath, Vermont or SnowSlide, W.V.!

And of course I can't send enough thank yous to Budweiser for being so prompt and timely. After reading the Daily Sun I assumed the event started at 3:45 PM but I must not have been wearing my glasses at the time. (You know what happens when you assume...you make an a_ _ out of...well you know the rest.)

After sitting in the mass of humanity for an hour and a half, at 5:00 PM the beautiful creatures finally appeared...did I mention I was caring for my 93 year old wheelchair bound father?

It was well worth it though. The Budweiser event people did pass out some cans of free beer to the two teenagers standing in front of...well you know!

Anyway, a great time was had by all, unless you were a 93 old wheelchair bound, World War II Hero! Oh well, there's always next year. Maybe we'll try to get there a littler earlier!:0000000000luvmyhors

[LuckySevens]

Here's a big shoutout to all you wonderful horse lovers who showed up at Brownwood today for the "let's wait 90 mins. to see 4 horses and a beer wagon make two, one minute laps around the square" event.

Big kudos go out to the 20 people who jumped in front of my 93 year old wheelchair bound father just as the equestrian team passed us, blocking his view. I hope you all got that perfect picture to send to the kids back in Buzzard's Breath, Vermont or SnowSlide, W.V.!

And of course I can't send enough thank yous to Budweiser for being so prompt and timely. After reading the Daily Sun I assumed the event started at 3:45 PM but I must not have been wearing my glasses at the time. (You know what happens when you assume...you make an a_ _ out of...well you know the rest.)

After sitting in the mass of humanity for an hour and a half, at 5:00 PM the beautiful creatures finally appeared...did I mention I was caring for my 93 year old wheelchair bound father?

It was well worth it though. The Budweiser event people did pass out some cans of free beer to the two teenagers standing in front of...well you know!

Anyway, a great time was had by all, unless you were a 93 old wheelchair bound, World War II Hero! Oh well, there's always next year. Maybe we'll try to get there a littler earlier!:0000000000luvmyhors

So sorry you had such a bad afternoon. I hate that no one showed respect for your wheel chair bound veteran father. That just shouldn't happen. : (

[e-flyer]

Agree, lots of rude folks rushing up the street to get in front of the Clydesdales when they stopped for a few seconds at various locations for viewing. We were standing next to a man with a walker who finally said, "ah hell with it, I'll never see them". People kept jumping in front of him even though he was at the edge of the curb. They had "special event workers" walking the street telling people to stay back and out of the street, but those "chosen ones" felt they were entitled to once again not follow directions. I can't stand people who think they are better than everyone else. It's sad, but the world seem to be full of these types of personalities lately, sad to see them in TV. On the positive side, even though they didn't come through until about 5pm, the Clydesdales pulling the Budweiser wagon were spectacular (very majestic and beautiful), along with the cute Dalmatian running back and forth on top of the wagon. To top it off, they placed a soldier in the passenger seat on the wagon (assuming he was just back from overseas). All in all, I thought it was worth it, but I was disappointed at the way some folks acted.

[Bonanza]

I think what happened at Brownwood today is typical of what happens when you have a couple thousand people crowded together for an event -- an event that could be anywhere when you don't have tickets and assigned seating. I feel sorry for RockyMountainMan and his father.

My husband and I stood in the street for well over an hour, in wait for the Clydesdales. When the horses were coming around, we, too, were overwhelmed by people who seemingly came out of the woodwork and almost knocked us down! Don't forget -- we were standing in front for over an hour. We, too, were enveloped by the mob. Yes, the crowd at large was rude, selfish and even mean.

I made a decision that in the future we simply won't go to these mobbed events or go and put with the rudeness that most of these people think is okay.

And then there are those who bring their dog and think that's perfectly okay. That's a whole 'nother story!

[Happydaz]

We were there at Brownwood and did enjoy seeing the Clydesdales. It was very crowded as the route they were going to travel was quite short. You can't blame people for jockeying to try to see the horses, it is just what happens in any crowd. We attended the draft horse pull at the Polo Grounds and that was a much better venue for an event such as this. There is much more room there and a much longer track for the horses to go around which would have allowed for a much larger viewing area. Brownwood is just too small for an event such as this.

[Mimivillager]

I was thrilled to see the 8 horses, and the beer wagon with the dalmation and soldier riding on top. We watched them exit the trucks, hitch up, and prepare for the parade. What gorgeous creatures they are! What a routine it is to prepare them! The barking dogs in the crowd got the dalmation excited and he almost fell off the wagon.
We were not in a hurry and enjoyed walking around. No, we did not walk in front of anyone, but I am sorry that some did spoil the event for others. There must have been 10,000 people there.

[billethkid]

there are always those who will not follow the rules or yield for anything.

Now that we have discussed the minority how did the other 95% enjoy the show.

I hate the coverage the minority gets at events like this while the rest of us do what is right and have just as good of a time.

Let's hear it for the majority:a040::wave:

[Madelaine Amee]

We were there at Brownwood and did enjoy seeing the Clydesdales. It was very crowded as the route they were going to travel was quite short. You can't blame people for jockeying to try to see the horses, it is just what happens in any crowd. We attended the draft horse pull at the Polo Grounds and that was a much better venue for an event such as this. There is much more room there and a much longer track for the horses to go around which would have allowed for a much larger viewing area. Brownwood is just too small for an event such as this.

Polo Grounds would have been great for this event, but I don't think they could have held it there. What a traffic jam it would have caused all over TV with people who live here and people who live outside trying to get onto BV to get to the Polo Grounds to see them. But, what a magnificent site it would have been to see them go around that track.

We were fortunate to see them several times when we were working in Europe. Magnificent sight, I will never ever forget it.

[Chi-Town]

RockyMountainMan, sorry to hear about how your father got blocked out, but thank you for the totally entertaining post.

[Happinow]

I'm sorry this wonderful event wasn't organized more carefully. Let's face it, it's an every man for himself world out there and if you don't fall into that category then you may lose. Perhaps the organizers could have had the horses parade all around Brownwood on all of the main streets and had people line up around the whole complex. That would spread the crowd out, thus giving everyone a chance to view the horses.....kinda like a parade route. I wasn't there but it looked as if the horses were brought to a pretty contained area. We don't go to many special events for this vary reason. We would have to get there way too early to get a seat/spot, people would no doubt step in front of us ( and I'm only 5' tall) making it impossible to see anything going on and a crowd that big in such a small space would make me claustrophobic. Folks, it's only going to get worse with the population growing. Make sure you love your home as you may be spending more time there than originally thought. It's getting just too congested for my liking but I love my house and where I live so I am a just fine hanging out here until the crowds dwindle. Enjoy!

[Jaggy]

- we saw them at a Jaguar game in Jax.. up close outside the stadium and they let us pet them.. amazing animals.. their trucks that they travel in are even fun to look at. I doubt if I will ever get a chance to get that close to them again.. I still can't believe they let us get that close.. I am not even a cute blonde !!

[scarecrow1]

Another reason for us handicapped people to not go to the squares for anything special. How about a place designated for wheelchairs only. Sorry for your father having to put up with a few a____ . I'm surprised he didn't get out of his wheelchair and pop a few !!!!!!

[John_W]

I saw the Clydesdales on TV yesterday, they were in Clearwater at the Phillies spring training game. I was wondering how they were going to get loaded back into their trailer and be at the TV by 4pm as the newspaper had advertised. I guess we now know they didn't arrive as scheduled.

Hopefully in the future, major events in TV will have a special area for disabled viewers.

[Madelaine Amee]

Another reason for us handicapped people to not go to the squares for anything special. How about a place designated for wheelchairs only. Sorry for your father having to put up with a few a____ . I'm surprised he didn't get out of his wheelchair and pop a few !!!!!!

:agree: I too think there should be a wheelchair only area for watching something like this in the Town Centers. I think I'll add that to my survey.

[applesoffh]

Just another reason why we don't go to any of the "events" at the town squares. Too many rude people who are "entitled" to push and shove their way in front of others who have waited patiently. In addition, why would anyone bring dogs to something like this? Some of this thinking never fails to amaze me.

[Bonanza]

I was thrilled to see the 8 horses, and the beer wagon with the dalmation and soldier riding on top. We watched them exit the trucks, hitch up, and prepare for the parade. What gorgeous creatures they are! What a routine it is to prepare them! The barking dogs in the crowd got the dalmation excited and he almost fell off the wagon.
[/COLOR]We were not in a hurry and enjoyed walking around. No, we did not walk in front of anyone, but I am sorry that some did spoil the event for others. There must have been 10,000 people there.

As I've previously mentioned before,
events at the squares are NO place for residents to bring their dog,
and not just because of the Budweiser Dalmation.
The asphalt streets and concrete sidewalks are much too hot for their feet,
little dogs can easily get stepped upon and people trip over them.

Most of the time it's just too damn hot for dogs,
and many of them are upset and frightened!

[VT2TV]

We were there at Brownwood and did enjoy seeing the Clydesdales. It was very crowded as the route they were going to travel was quite short. You can't blame people for jockeying to try to see the horses, it is just what happens in any crowd. We attended the draft horse pull at the Polo Grounds and that was a much better venue for an event such as this. There is much more room there and a much longer track for the horses to go around which would have allowed for a much larger viewing area. Brownwood is just too small for an event such as this.





Actually, I can and do blame people for acting this way. There is NO excuse for rudeness when it comes to jumping in front of, or knocking into people who cannot protect themselves. If this behavior continues to be tolerated, it will only get worse than it already is. One of the biggest problems at the squares, and the entire Village for that matter, is that there is no one who is "in charge" or has any authority to stop people who are acting this way. This is a large area that is getting bigger and bigger--no longer that friendly hometown like Mayberry. And I am NOT saying that the majority are not wonderful people. Un fortunately the minority that acts like this can spoil things for so many. As a mater of fact, from what I read on here and hear from my friends, a lot of the really nice residents don't even go to the squares anymore because of this kind of behavior. And for those who want to read into everything some people say on here---I am not saying that the residents who do go to the squares are not nice. I am only saying that I think we need some type of security guards, or monitors, or whatever to control things when situations do occur

[CFrance]

Actually, I can and do blame people for acting this way. There is NO excuse for rudeness when it comes to jumping in front of, or knocking into people who cannot protect themselves. If this behavior continues to be tolerated, it will only get worse than it already is. One of the biggest problems at the squares, and the entire Village for that matter, is that there is no one who is "in charge" or has any authority to stop people who are acting this way. This is a large area that is getting bigger and bigger--no longer that friendly hometown like Mayberry. And I am NOT saying that the majority are not wonderful people. Un fortunately the minority that acts like this can spoil things for so many. As a mater of fact, from what I read on here and hear from my friends, a lot of the really nice residents don't even go to the squares anymore because of this kind of behavior. And for those who want to read into everything some people say on here---I am not saying that the residents who do go to the squares are not nice. I am only saying that I think we need some type of security guards, or monitors, or whatever to control things when situations do occur
I'm wondering... shouldn't the responsibility for crowd management lie with the people who have the entertainment contract? Shouldn't they be hiring people to pass out (or not pass out) chairs, manage seat saving arguments, and police crowds? Who's in charge? No one?

[Barefoot]

Another reason for us handicapped people to not go to the squares for anything special. How about a place designated for wheelchairs only!

That is a cracker-jack idea! I would respectfully suggest that anyone using a walker should have access to the wheelchair area. I will be writing this as a suggestion on the current Survey. I hope that others also suggest this. This is a safety and security issue. So hopefully if they receive a lot of similar comments, it may happen.

[VT2TV]

I have never found anyone in charge, or who will admit to it. I agree that the people providing the entertainment should share some of the responsibility, but when we had any form of entertainment at our civic center, downtown, public parks, etc., the local government or similar agency provided security. But I would like to see some form of security or even just "person in charge" especially when there are crowd situations. I am not talking about someone to pass out seats.

[Barefoot]

I'm wondering... shouldn't the responsibility for crowd management lie with the people who have the entertainment contract? Shouldn't they be hiring people to pass out (or not pass out) chairs, manage seat saving arguments, and police crowds? Who's in charge? No one?

There were "official" guys in red shirts walking ahead of the horses insisting that people move back and clear the way. It was ridiculous to see people purposely standing directly in the horses' path to take pictures.

Although I was thrilled to see the Clydesdales up close and personal, I have to agree that there were some badly-behaved, selfish spectators.

[CFrance]

There were "official" guys in red shirts walking ahead of the horses insisting that people move back and clear the way. It was ridiculous to see people purposely standing directly in the horses' path to take pictures.

Although I was thrilled to see the Clydesdales up close and personal, I have to agree that there were some badly-behaved, selfish spectators.

Bare, I looked at the photos provided by the zzzzzzzzzzzzzvillages hypen news-blah-blah.com. (Okay, I borrowed some of that from Gracie.) The guys in the red shirts seemed to be connected to Budweiser and horse handling, not to the entertainment contractors. I could be wrong; I wasn't there. The photos on that site showed them with the horses, not the spectators.

It just seems like these events shouldn't be thrown out there into the public by the contractors and have everybody left to fend for themselves with no crowd management. Especially where the handicapped are concerned.

Just my thoughts.

[DougB]

That is a cracker-jack idea! I would respectfully suggest that anyone using a walker should have access to the wheelchair area. I will be writing this as a suggestion on the current Survey. I hope that others also suggest this. This is a safety and security issue. So hopefully if they receive a lot of similar comments, it may happen.

Wonder how fast Walgreens would sell out of walkers before the next big event if they allowed walkers in a wheelchair access area.

[Barefoot]

Wonder how fast Walgreens would sell out of walkers before the next big event if they allowed walkers in a wheelchair access area.

Nah, I thought of that, but walkers at Walgreen aren't cheap. However it's possible a black market might develop on used walkers!

Seriously DougB, you and I both know that no Villagers would ever abuse a privileges such as handicap parking. :evil6:

[bonrich]

Many, many people!! I had wondered at one time why the acres and acres of black top parking, and how they would ever be used. Well. let me tell you was I wrong! In our golf cart searching for a spot to park. Just amazing. Restaurants were packed and beyond. City Fire had a
2 1/2 hour wait. Ditto for any other place serving food.
There were quite a few spectators in wheelchairs and walkers and I realized they had no hope of seeing these majestic horses. How sad that our Villages would not consider a space on either corner reserved for them.
I would hope in the future for one time events such as these, those needs are considered and acted on.
And for the dog owners, please reconsider bringing them to an event such as this. I don't think it was the best of times for your pet.

[VT2TV]

Bare, I looked at the photos provided by the zzzzzzzzzzzzzvillages hypen news-blah-blah.com. (Okay, I borrowed some of that from Gracie.) The guys in the red shirts seemed to be connected to Budweiser and horse handling, not to the entertainment contractors. I could be wrong; I wasn't there. The photos on that site showed them with the horses, not the spectators.

It just seems like these events shouldn't be thrown out there into the public by the contractors and have everybody left to fend for themselves with no crowd management. Especially where the handicapped are concerned.

Just my thoughts.





I totally agree. I have been saying for a long time that we need some kind of security, police or even monitor at all public events in the Villages. I stopped going to the squares 2 Christmases ago when the people all around us were very, very drunk. Standing in front of our seats, stumbling around while holding a drink in one hand and the candle in the other. I couldn't count the number of times they bumped into us. But when they actually stumbled against me where I was seated, and I felt the heat from their candle on my cheek, that was the last straw!!! That could have been a horrible accident if they had accidentally sloshed the alcohol onto the candle that was so close to my face and hair. I was tired of saying...excuse me, could you...and excuse me, would you.. So I got up and went to find someone, anyone in charge. I walked around the entire square and couldn't find anyone. The people I asked like the workers in the kiosks, and in the sales office said that I should call the police. Wonder how long that would take and if the offenders would even be around then?? So, I just stopped going to the squares for the most part--not worth the trouble for me.

As far as the wheelchairs and walkers and a special seating place for them---I totally agree---if someone is there to monitor it. I agree with the poster who said that there would be a run on both of those mobility aids from stores or friends. And then the people who are just abusing the system would be bringing 10-15 of their best friends.

[cquick]

:agree: I too think there should be a wheelchair only area for watching something like this in the Town Centers. I think I'll add that to my survey.

Well, we've been living here since 2011, and at first we did try to go to the events at the squares, but it's just not worth it with a wheelchair. When there were parades, they always marked off an area to park wheelchairs, which was nice, but that doesn't happen very often.

I have always had a bit of a problem with accessibility in The Villages as far as curb cutouts, and such. You can park at Sumter Landing behind the buildings in a handicapped accessible parking place, but then you cannot find a cutout to get up on the sidewalk.

[conn630]

I took my granddaughters, age 6 and 9 who both love horses, stood in the sun on the route for an hour since they were slow coming. (they did have ice cream and water to cool off, but still a long wait for them.) As the horses approached a tall man and equally tall woman ran in front of them. I tapped the man on the shoulder and he said "Oh, does she want to be up here." He did let her squeeze in. His wife acted like she couldn't hear and didn't allow my 9 year old to see. I was angry and ashamed for them to see how some older people behave here in the friendliest hometown. I hope she reads TOTV and feels bad, but I doubt it.

[Golfingnut]

It is the self gratification times we live in. Now for my opinion, I think the type that would block the view of a wheel chair bound person also would not appreciate a sunset without being with someone else to Bragg about it to. When you learn to love life's beauty alone you will learn to help others enjoy it rather than interfering with it.

[Billyworld]

If you never surface, you won't get harpooned! This is how it's done up North.

[Indydealmaker]

The posts in this thread addressing the surprisingly inconsiderate, supposedly mature, adults, is a good reminder of why we need the laws and rules (speed limits, red light cameras, illegal golf cart tickets, parking violations, lawn ornaments, fluorescent blue house paint, RVs parked on streets, etc.) that spawn the constant griping on this forum.

Has everyone forgotten: "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"?

It seems as if the new code of ethics is: "Do Unto Others Before They Can Do Unto You".

This rotten attitude is, of course, not endemic to The Villages, but somehow it seems more wrong here.

[nitehawk]

Wonder how fast Walgreens would sell out of walkers before the next big event if they allowed walkers in a wheelchair access area.

:bigbow::bigbow: Do they also photcopy handicap parking permits

[CFrance]

The posts in this thread addressing the surprisingly inconsiderate, supposedly mature, adults, is a good reminder of why we need the laws and rules (speed limits, red light cameras, illegal golf cart tickets, parking violations, lawn ornaments, fluorescent blue house paint, RVs parked on streets, etc.) that spawn the constant griping on this forum.

Has everyone forgotten: "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"?

It seems as if the new code of ethics is: "Do Unto Others Before They Can Do Unto You".

This rotten attitude is, of course, not endemic to The Villages, but somehow it seems more wrong here.
I agree with everything you've said, Indy. Unfortunately, the ill-mannered have engendered the "you snooze you lose" mentality. People who would otherwise remain polite and take their turns and play fair have lost their "place" to the bullies so much that they sometimes become bullies themselves.

It's why some of us rarely go to these events. I would rather stay back than be pushed around and get angry to the point of stooping to their level.

[perrjojo]

The posts in this thread addressing the surprisingly inconsiderate, supposedly mature, adults, is a good reminder of why we need the laws and rules (speed limits, red light cameras, illegal golf cart tickets, parking violations, lawn ornaments, fluorescent blue house paint, RVs parked on streets, etc.) that spawn the constant griping on this forum.

Has everyone forgotten: "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"?

It seems as if the new code of ethics is: "Do Unto Others Before They Can Do Unto You".

This rotten attitude is, of course, not endemic to The Villages, but somehow it seems more wrong here
.

:bigbow:

[RockyMountainMan]

We were there at Brownwood and did enjoy seeing the Clydesdales. It was very crowded as the route they were going to travel was quite short. You can't blame people for jockeying to try to see the horses, it is just what happens in any crowd. We attended the draft horse pull at the Polo Grounds and that was a much better venue for an event such as this. There is much more room there and a much longer track for the horses to go around which would have allowed for a much larger viewing area. Brownwood is just too small for an event such as this.

Happydaz,
I have read all the responses to my post and although a few respsondents didn't quite "get it", your response made me run screaming into the night...and to my keyboard!

I think your comment about not "blaming people for jockeying to try to see the horses" leads me to believe that the back of YOUR head may have been the very reason for my post in the first place.

I guess, as one other respondent said, "it's every man for himself" at these events is the way you see it. You cannot justify bad behavior by saying "it's just what happens in any crowd."

I'm thinking of a word here...oh yea...NARCISSISTS. "It's just what they do!"

[perrjojo]

Happydaz,
I have read all the responses to my post and although a few respsondents didn't quite "get it", your response made me run screaming into the night...and to my keyboard!

I think your comment about not "blaming people for jockeying to try to see the horses" leads me to believe that the back of YOUR head may have been the very reason for my post in the first place.

I guess, as one other respondent said, "it's every man for himself" at these events is the way you see it. You cannot justify bad behavior by saying "it's just what happens in any crowd."

I'm thinking of a word here...oh yea...NARCISSISTS. "It's just what they do!"

We seem to fall into an accepting idea for some reason. On other threads some say it's ok to violate the covenants if your neighbors don't report you. (Maybe your neighbors really do mind but just don't like being Narcs). It's ok for Stonecrest residents to come into the Paradise gate cuz how many can that really be? It's ok to soup up your golf cart cuz I am special. It's ok to go through the red light cuz I'm just one more. The list goes on and on. Yes, I am special but so are you! Some say it's ok to be rude cuz that's honest and just how we are in some parts of the country. I don't know where courtesy and respect have gone and I don't know when we thought is was ok for crowd mentatilty to rule. I am sorry you had this experience but I do fear it has become the new normal..it's not right and maybe we all need to do some soul searching on is it ok to break a few little rules that we don't agree with or don't pertain to us. Me thinks NOT!

[nitehawk]

We seem to fall into an accepting idea for some reason. On other threads some say it's ok to violate the covenants if your neighbors don't report you. (Maybe your neighbors really do mind but just don't like being Narcs). It's ok for Stonecrest residents to come into the Paradise gate cuz how many can that really be? It's ok to soup up your golf cart cuz I am special. It's ok to go through the red light cuz I'm just one more. The list goes on and on. Yes, I am special but so are you! Some say it's ok to be rude cuz that's honest and just how we are in some parts of the country. I don't know where courtesy and respect have gone and I don't know when we thought is was ok for crowd mentatilty to rule. I am sorry you had this experience but I do fear it has become the new normal..it's not right and maybe we all need to do some soul searching on is it ok to break a few little rules that we don't agree with or don't pertain to us. Me thinks NOT!

:bigbow:

[CFrance]

We seem to fall into an accepting idea for some reason. On other threads some say it's ok to violate the covenants if your neighbors don't report you. (Maybe your neighbors really do mind but just don't like being Narcs). It's ok for Stonecrest residents to come into the Paradise gate cuz how many can that really be? It's ok to soup up your golf cart cuz I am special. It's ok to go through the red light cuz I'm just one more. The list goes on and on. Yes, I am special but so are you! Some say it's ok to be rude cuz that's honest and just how we are in some parts of the country. I don't know where courtesy and respect have gone and I don't know when we thought is was ok for crowd mentatilty to rule. I am sorry you had this experience but I do fear it has become the new normal..it's not right and maybe we all need to do some soul searching on is it ok to break a few little rules that we don't agree with or don't pertain to us. Me thinks NOT!
Excellent post, perrjojo.

[lawatha]

Sorry to hear people so rudely crammed in front of you and your father after waiting patiently for so long. The same thing happened to our group of 5. We arrived at 3:30, staked out a place across the street from the theatre, and waited... waited... waited some more. Finally we heard the horses coming, and along with them, what seemed like hundreds if not thousands of people jamming into the street in front of us. I originally thought I would have a perfect clear view for taking pictures, but as it turned out, almost every photo had someones head or arm in the shot. One guy that noticed we were irritated with the rudeness of those jumping in front of us, asked if anybody would like him to take a picture for them, since he now had the best view. I told him no, what I'd like is for him to get out of my way! He didn't budge. :-( Some people are so rude. Maybe next time, just arrive on time- not early- and weasel your way to the front like everyone else. (Not really...)