Brownwood Strawberry Festival
 

We tried going to the Strawberry Festival today.
Took the golf cart & got there around 10:30.

There was no parking to be found and it was a total zoo.

The same thing happened at LSL for Mardi Gras.
Someone suggested these festivals should take place at all 3 squares if you have any hope to get in.

Is it me or does it seem especially crowded this year??

It was so busy nobody goes they anymore...

Thanks, Yogi. :)

We got there around 12:30. Parking was tight, but we parked in the parking lot by the lofts (in golf cat).

The square was full, but we were able to get around.

Got a table right away at Cody’s (1:00).

Yes, it is you.

The Villages does not seem crowded to us at all. We avoid crowds.

I went there 4 years ago and couldn't find a parking spot for my cart. I'm sure with the increase in the number of homes over the last four years it has to be even more crowded now.
I mentioned to DW the possibility of venturing down there again today and got a very firm "No Thanks!"...

When we went 4 years ago in the golf cart we did several loops around until a cart was loading up to go out. We waited patiently. There were of course two carts in the spot. When the one cart pulled out, we pulled in. A lady in a BMW convertible got nasty with me, telling me she'd been waiting for that spot before I got there. I asked her if she was planning on parking the Beemer in a half of a space.
She shot me the middle finger and left hastily.

Apparently management is blind to the fact Brownwood is not capable of handling an event with large volume.

We went this morning and there was a lot of close parking. The only place we bought anything was from the new bakery. I felt it was a mishmash of stuff. Would not return.

It usually quietens down when the free tasting items run out.

We drove into and parked in the old Barnstorm Movie Theater.
Loads of empty space inside! :icon_wink:

We got there about 10:15 on Saturday...

Drove around for 10-15 minutes and parked in one of the big lots behind Gator's Dockside... Yes, it was crowded, but we had a nice time...

When we left, around 11:30 (out to 44), we saw carts backed up on the bridge over 44...

Yes the crowds are ridiculas. Too many people!!!

Wait until all of the family housing and apartments are built.

We stopped by today at 10:30 abundance of parking, slightly crowded. Dropped back at 3pm to buy 1/2 flat of strawberries, looked like any other afternoon in Brownwood.

Gotta go early...much earlier than 10:15

Without crowds, vendors will not come.

More crowed and saving seat policy is nuts. Need a no save seat policy one to 4 seats is ok but saving 40 seats with one person is a nightmare. We have owned since 2006 and never seen so many people from out of the villages. Met someone from Ohio who was camping in Wildwood saving 4 seats. I realize we are Americans but we pay to live here perhaps they can save seats upfront for residents with a card. Me sitting behind campers set wrong and don’t even get me started on line dancers saving three rows of upfront seats so they can dance all night. For goodness sakes take seats in the back to rest how arrogant can you be.

I guess should go earlier.

No surprise
 

When you add 40,000+ homes = more people .no surprise here

Complain complain complain that’s all I read here. If you don’t like it move. Life is too short and are cases even shorter.

:bigbow:


People come here to whine.
Maybe they feeeeeeeel better after they vent.
Venting here will change nothing.

:shrug:

Sunday not crowded
 

We almost didn't go on Sunday due to the posts. We did go on Sunday as we preordered from
Cousins Maine Lobster Truck. We got there at noon and to our surprise it was not crowded and immediately got a parking spot. Vendors were surprised as well. When we left at 2 pm, still not crowded. We were a little disappointed with the offerings.

Need a shuttle
 

We couldn't get in for parking last year and we were hoping TV would operate some of the trolleys for shuttling us to Brownwood. If there was a shuttle to avoid just sitting in grid lock traffic, we'd go. Festivals are meant to have crowds but gridlock is a lack of planning.

Enjoy the journey.

No gridlock for us.
We went @ 2pm on Saturday.
Parked in front of the Golf Cart Shop.
Walked a block.

30,000 New People Here, With nothing South of 44 to Do!!!

I went about 10am in my golfcart and it was gridlock. I was already in a bad mood when I went and this put me in a worse mood. I came very close to going home in frustration. I finally found a parking spot, and I am so glad I did! There was so much positive energy there! It was the most crowded I have ever seen Brownwood, but if a line for something was really long, I walked on to something else, and came back in a few minutes to a much shorter line. I really enjoyed the band that played and most people seemed to be having a great time. I enjoyed the strawberry Daiquari, and some other snacks. I wasn't interested in the games area, so I didn't go there. I walked on the sidewalks along the backside of the tents to see what was there without having to fight the crowd. I didn't see anything that interested me, but I have bought from a couple of the vendors before, so I can't imagine it was a waste for everyone given all the people lining up and buying. I left at about 12:30 and the parking situation was much better. Next year I plan on trying to stow my bad attitude a little sooner, and enjoy it even more. I can't imagine splitting this among 2 or 3 squares as the individual vendors would most likely not set up at all 3 squares so it wouldn't be as great at any of the squares. Having the ability to park easily, and walk around without crowds without the great offerings doesn't interest me. I can do that on any square almost every single day before 4.

We saw a decline during the pandemic but now we are back at full swing. It is only going to get worse.

I also had a very hard time finding parking, but once I got to the square, I wondered where were all the people that owned all those cars, the square itself was not THAT crowded!
We also found LOTS of golf carts parked illegally in the area of the handicap spots striped areas! These areas are needed for space for wheelchairs to get in and out of their cars! It's a shame that people who are privileged to have all there abilities, bully those who don't by ruining those parking spaces for the handicapped! One even pretended to have "lost" his handicap placard, which he kept calling a "sticker". Shame on all of you!

Strawberry Festival
 

We got there about 10:15 and drove around for 25 minutes. Never found a parking place. We left.

So the people that live north of 44 who attended, also had nothing to do?

These events are usually attended for the most part by people that have not lived here for very long. Many long term residents avoid the squares, especially when there is a special event going on.

Data correction needed.🤔

My thoughts are that the developers are not providing the same amenities that the older sections ahve and its worth the car drive north for the festivities and entertainment.

Four years ago I went to the strawberry festival and like you experienced couldn't find a parking spot. I've never gone back.

The Strawberry Daiquiri glass is 1/2 full for a lot of people.

:cryin2::cryin2::cryin2:

We arrived around noon on Sunday by golf cart and found people coming and going so parking on the street was not a problem for us.
Crowded? Sure it was! ITS A FESTIVAL! Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Entertainment was enjoyable! Lighten up and enjoy it! If it’s more enjoyable for you to stay home—- okay😀