Today's Daily Sun re: Parades and 2013 Activities

[pooh]

I'm sure most of you have read section C of today's paper. ON THE SCENE IN 2013 describes the Entertainment Calendar for the upcoming year. Looks like there will be lots going on, and they should be lots of fun! Things take place in various squares....I haven't listed that. Schedules put out throughout the year will specify.
January - Arts and Crafts Show, The Renaissance Festival.
February - Brownwood Colonial Days, Chili Cookoff, Mardi Gras celebration.
March - Strawberry Festival, The Villages Charter School BBQ Bash, St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Easter Arts and Crafts Show.
April - Dyngus Day and Tartan DAy
May - Cinco de Mayo celebration
June - Cruise In (June and monthly as always)
July - The nation's birthday will be marked July 4 with red, white and blue patriotic flair at all 3 town squares.
October- Spooky Ghost Town Jamboree, Italian Fest and Oktoberfest.
December -Tree lightings, Christmas Cruise In and the annual Christmas parade, if approved,by the Recreation Dept. Board of Directors, at the Polo Field.

The Christmas parade will be the only one scheduled for 2013, but with so many other events planned, everyone should find something to make them happy.

Things change, events come and go. The upcoming year should be fun.

[Taltarzac725]

I'm sure most of you have read section C of today's paper. ON THE SCENE IN 2013 describes the Entertainment Calendar for the upcoming year. Looks like there will be lots going on, and they should be lots of fun! Things take place in various squares....I haven't listed that. Schedules put out throughout the year will specify.
January - Arts and Crafts Show, The Renaissance Festival.
February - Brownwood Colonial Days, Chili Cookoff, Mardi Gras celebration.
March - Straberry Festival, The Villages Charter School BBQ Bash, St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Easter Arts and Crafts Show.
April - Dyngus Day and Tartan DAy
May - Cinco de Mayo celebration
June - Cruise In (June and monthly as always)
July - The nation's birthday will be marked July 4 with red, white and blue patriotic flair at all 3 town squares.
October- Spooky Ghost Town Jamboree, Italian Fest and Oktoberfest.
December -Tree lightings, Christmas Cruise In and the annual Christmas parade, if approved,by the Recreation Dept. Board of Directors, at the Polo Field.

The Christmas parade will be the only one scheduled for 2013, but with so many other events planned, everyone should find something to make them happy.

Things change, events come and go. The upcoming year should be fun.

Thanks pooh for posting this. My "biased" poll seemed to show that most people are indifferent or do not want parades on the Squares. Of course, this was a very unscientific poll.

[pooh]

I thought your poll was great....we got some idea of how people who write on TOTV feel about parades. Thanks for setting it up.

[scarecrow1]

They will probably up our amenity fees and giving us less entertainment and they aren't listening to the people. I have heard that the merchants are complaining about business during and after the parades,it's a liability problem,and cost too much to clean up after the parades. All they have to do is,do away with the vendors,have more security and remember who are paying the bills. I think if it is the merchants then people who favor these events should avoid the merchants in the squares and let the merchants know why. Enuf said just an opinion. Ps I avoid the parades as much as possible as the crowds are too big but if people want them,then they should have them.

[pooh]

One thing we might all want to remember is that TV isn't a resort, or a cruise ship, it's a community. The developer isn't obligated to provide entertainment constantly. There are PLENTY of things to do here, and also in the surrounding communities.

Amenity fees can only increase a certain percentage each year. Maybe many have lived in areas without such fees, but those who have lived in areas with them, surely recognize that we do get lots of bang for our buck here. Golf courses, rec centers, pools, tennis courts, pickleball courts, horseshoe areas, archery, and more and more.

Honestly, I'm not sure how many people are grumbling about parades being cancelled. Personally, I'd rather attend a BBQ event, Strawberry Festival, etc, than a 15 to 20 minute parade.

It isn't my intention to diminish the loss some feel about the absence of parades, but nothing in this world is forever and who knows, these new events may be more fun than they imagined.

[Bogie Shooter]

They will probably up our amenity fees and giving us less entertainment and they aren't listening to the people. I have heard that the merchants are complaining about business during and after the parades,it's a liability problem,and cost too much to clean up after the parades. All they have to do is,do away with the vendors,have more security and remember who are paying the bills. I think if it is the merchants then people who favor these events should avoid the merchants in the squares and let the merchants know why. Enuf said just an opinion. Ps I avoid the parades as much as possible as the crowds are too big but if people want them,then they should have them.

Amenity fees have nothing to do with entertainment.

[bevlaur]

Pooh: I so agree with you - do we really need a 15 minute parade that people line up for hours before? The fun is being at the square with other Villagers, entertainers, and vendors!

[Chi-Town]

Parades give a sense of community. It's great to still have the holiday festivities throughout the year, but I'll miss the pride that the parade participants exhibited.

[Bonny]

They will probably up our amenity fees and giving us less entertainment and they aren't listening to the people. I have heard that the merchants are complaining about business during and after the parades,it's a liability problem,and cost too much to clean up after the parades. All they have to do is,do away with the vendors,have more security and remember who are paying the bills. I think if it is the merchants then people who favor these events should avoid the merchants in the squares and let the merchants know why. Enuf said just an opinion. Ps I avoid the parades as much as possible as the crowds are too big but if people want them,then they should have them.

Just curious who you heard this from. Was it one of the merchants you heard complaining ?

[skip0358]

Just curious who you heard this from. Was it one of the merchants you heard complaining ?

I myself find it hard to believe the Merchants complaioned. The parades brought tons of people to the squares and the did shop,eat and drink. The Parade itself lasted maybe 20 minutes. My favorite was St. Pats, I'm not Irish except on that day. I get up early and yea I save a table when the gang gets there we're dressed for the occasion and walk the streets and have a ball talking to people eating,drinking and have a goodole time. I'm sure that will continue just not going to be a parade per say.

[Bonny]

We go to alot of the restaurants & they love the parades and activities. So do the employees. They are all hoping to get some extra business.

[rubicon]

Is that all there is? is that all there is my friend then let's keep dancing, and break out the booze and have a ball

[lovesports]

Thanks pooh for posting this. My "biased" poll seemed to show that most people are indifferent or do not want parades on the Squares. Of course, this was a very unscientific poll.

Even your very unscientific poll with very few voters, the poll showed the second most votes were love parades, keep parades. The written comments showed indifference and keep the parades.
I am in a total of 7 groups or clubs and one very active Village and I can tell you the majority are very disappointed in losing the parades. Same feeling as when we lost the indoor pool, our mascot the Buffalo, Relay for Life, music New Year's Eve in the squares etc. etc. These are all things we had for years and years. Our developer made 2.5 billion on this development so don't tell me he can't afford it. 2.5 billion of our money paid to him...

As I said before, my life will go on but it is ANOTHER loss. People who have lived here much longer than me can give you a much longer list. I said this before too, I honestly don't think the small group on TOTV represents the majority of active Villagers. Just look at the hugh number of people who live here and compare to the number that voted. I stay because of all the friends I have made here. However, I may end up someplace else depending on what else is taken away. All you Morse is perfect posters, safe your breath, as I won't return to this thread and won't be on totv a few days.

[aln]

I'm of the 'take or leave it' group.


The bottom line is that ... it's a business decision!


If the parades were good for business there would be parades.

[lovesports]

I'm of the 'take or leave it' group.


The bottom line is that ... it's a business decision!


If the parades were good for business there would be parades.

Agree-- all decisions have been BUSINESS decisions. It's all about the money. How else do you make 2.5 billion unless you entice people to buy. ( Then take away the enticements and the homeowners have no say)

[graciegirl]

Boy howdy.

[billethkid]

Not taking away from the results of the poll conducted....but that infinitesimal sample just cannot be extrapolated to reflect the sentiments of TV or TOTV populations.....it did reflect how those who participated feel.

btk

[pooh]

Boy howdy.

Same here! Yikes.

[PaPaLarry]

There goes the saving of chairs!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????

[REDCART]

As you might have guessed, the parade question was a very hot item at Tuesday's POA meeting. I'm sure you'll see it in the next POA bulletin. Elaine Dreidame, POA President finally shut down discussion saying that the POA will continue to monitor the progress of the VHA, which has also strenuously objected to the developer's decision. Ms. Dreidame commented that parades have been repeatedly featured in all TV sales videos and wondered if the decision may have been made by Barbara Vesco in haste. She said parades, like nightly entertainment in the squares is provided gratis by the developer, and that residents have no contractual expectation that they have to continue in the future. I'm sure the logistics of the parades are a nightmare for security, parking and crowd control but in the end it will come down to what's best for business--both the developer's and the merchants in the squares. Stay tuned, between the various clubs there will be a sustained challenge to lobby the developer to reverse this decision.

George

[Golfingnut]

I am so thankful that the Morse family became so wealthy that they invested in The Villages and gave us a place to live SECOND TO NONE in the world. If you look for the greatness of The Villages rather than the Negative, you will smile more and sleep better. Good Luck.

[Bonny]

I am so thankful that the Morse family became so wealthy that they invested in The Villages and gave us a place to live SECOND TO NONE in the world. If you look for the greatness of The Villages rather than the Negative, you will smile more and sleep better. Good Luck.

:agree: :bowdown: No where in the world like the Villages !!!

[pooh]

As you might have guessed, the parade question was a very hot item at Tuesday's POA meeting. I'm sure you'll see it in the next POA bulletin. Elaine Dreidame, POA President finally shut down discussion saying that the POA will continue to monitor the progress of the VHA, which has also strenuously objected to the developer's decision. Ms. Dreidame commented that parades have been repeatedly featured in all TV sales videos and wondered if the decision may have been made by Barbara Vesco in haste. She said parades, like nightly entertainment in the squares is provided gratis by the developer, and that residents have no contractual expectation that they have to continue in the future. I'm sure the logistics of the parades are a nightmare for security, parking and crowd control but in the end it will come down to what's best for business--both the developer's and the merchants in the squares. Stay tuned, between the various clubs there will be a sustained challenge to lobby the developer to reverse this decision.

George
Thanks for the information, George, Mike and I weren't able to attend Tuesday's meeting.