what's your thoughts on this
 

Traditionally free Villages tree lightings introducing pay-to-view seating

The concept of selling specialized treatment at holiday events first surfaced this past July 4 at Brownwood. The tree-lighting shows are following that model, with tickets offered for $50 per person, $80 per couple and $225 for a table for six. Those purchasing the “VIP Experience” are being promised two free drink tickets, appetizers provided by a yet-unnamed vendor and access to a VIP tent and cash bar, as well as reserved seating and “direct access into the square.”

I think it's B/s..

No. Will become a Pandora's Box!!!
Maintain first come first served.

How is this proposal any different than saving seats on the square? It isn't!!!
I agree with first reply:

BS!

We went once, the 1st Season we lived here, 10 yrs ago...and it wasn't all that great. Chairs were all full except for a few behind the gazebo and you couldn't see anything. It was crowded then and I'm sure it's even more so now-days. We now avoid the squares for that reason. I'm sure the powers that be have their reasons for the VIP tent etc.

:icon_wink: That's an easy one...... it's their seats not yours! They can save seats and you can't. You can still go. There is still a free option (paid for by selling seats) for others. Takes a crane, 2 trucks, 5-6 guys, and 2 nights to set up and decorate the tree. Wonder how much that costs...... nobody posts asking that! Thank you Entertainment Dept. :ho:

I don't feel we are entitled to free.


Seating, drinks, food and donations to charities for a fee. Does not get my neck hair up.




.

:agree:

I agree. It is run by the entertainment company that is no longer owned by The Villages and represents the merchants on the square.

For me it is all about fixing something that isn't broken.

I would hate to see the Tree lighting festivities get cancelled because of possible complaining of a few...it could happen....like the New Years celebrations on the squares were eliminated years ago.

Who cares anymore. There seemed to be more non-residents in the squares lately anyway. I never liked waiting in lines, and now I don't have to.
I can go down the next day and see the tree lit up.


"I never made a mistake in my life. I thought I did once, but I was wrong".

He who writes the check, makes the rules. Free entertainment is not free to provide. I have no problem with trying to recover some of the cost with this OPTIONAL experience. After all, we don't want to lose something because the cost is getting too high to provide it.

Hey - an alternate idea. NEIGHBORHOOD TREE LIGHTING WALK :coolsmiley:

Organize your close neighbors, have everyone ready on the selected date and then do an evening walk-around to see each home’s decorations (insides or out) ... maybe even have some light drinks (:popcorn: :beer3: hot toddy?) along the way to keep everyone warm. Do it local and keep it simple and enjoyable!!

I'll watch the live stream on my computer. I'm not going to support merchants AND pay to see it.

Went to the tree lighting ceremony when we first moved here. It was cold and crowded but was used to that moving from the Chicago area. After the countdown the lights went on and.....meh. Dull lighting at best. They seem to have gotten a little brighter over the years but not worth paying for. I didn't expect the Rockefelker Center, but that was not what I expected. I'll pass.

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A foolish response
 

Isn’t that why we pay an amenity fee? And don’t they make money when they have a big event! It cost the towns and cities a lot more to set up these events and I’ve yet to see them charge to attend. Personally I think the Entertainment Department has made ridiculous changes over the past few years and each one of those changes unfortunately shows their concern to increase revenue.

This would not have happened if Harold Schwartz or Gary Morse were running the show. Times they are a changing. Some think the changes are good, others not so much.

No, Kerry, that is not what an amenity fee pays for. The businesses around the squares pay for the entertainment - an incentive to get you to go there and spend your money. Sumter County does award a small tourism grant to support the functions at Lake Sumter and Brownwood squares - and that $ comes from a County hotel/rental tax not property taxes. The Entertainment Dept that produces many of the events on the squares is no longer a function of the Villages - it was spun off an sold some time ago. Hope that helps your understanding a bit better.

LOL How is it that you know that? DO you commune with them in order to know what they are thinking these days? LOL I must be watching too much Long Island Medium! lolololololol

Minor correction - the free option isn't paid for by selling seats. It's paid for by the county, eg. your tax dollars if you live in that county. It's part of their tourism budget.

My opinion on the subject:

As long as it's a very small square-footage they reserve for the pay option, and that area is not blocking the view of everyone else, I don't think it's a big deal. The square is still accessible to the public at no charge. The people paying are getting something no one ever gets anyway. It's one of those "value added" pay-for-perks, like paying a trail fee for the "free" executive golf courses we get as residents. They're free - but using the golf carts on the paths cost extra.

You don't have to pay to see it. You have to pay if you want a reserved table, appetizers, and a couple of drinks. You can still see it there free, as you always have.

I don't see the problem. I someone is willing to pay for a seat on a side street with a private bar, good for him. I went to a Brownwood tree lighting and had to park in The Villages Health Specialist parking lot. It was so crowded we walked around the square, walked back to the car, and went home. Never again. We now enjoy driving around the neighborhoods down here to see the lights homeowners put up and there are some great displays. I don't know where they keep all that stuff after Christmas.

I like it!
 

I like this option. Do you know why? Because I’m sick and tired of showing up two hours early to events to save chairs. It becomes a competition of who can get there the earliest and has the most patience to sit around for hours on end ....it happens at Pools when you’re on vacation ....it happens at fireworks......and I’m tired of it ......hubby and i show up and find one person saving 10 of the best seats while 9 people sat home....... we should outlaw saving seats. If you’re not there you don’t get your seat! done ! then maybe we wouldn’t have to pay for things

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Correction - it's partially paid for by the county.

:shrug: I don't profess to be the expert some seem to think they are but..... I believe it is money collected from a tourism tax collected. Please let me know if I am wrong. :rolleyes:

I’m with Ben, if it means crowds, you can count me out free or otherwise.

You are partially right. The counties do provide a stipend each year for the entertainment in the squares but it doesn't cover the cost. I think the majority of the money comes from the businesses at the squares. None of this is paid for by amenity fees.

Thanks. I knew that. What I was trying to point out was the tax money was not PROPERTY TAX money but Tourism Tax money. I didn't say it well. Thanks again :ho:

I stand corrected! Partially funded by county tax. Partially funded by tourism tax. Partially funded by - maybe other things?

As for the seat-savers, I've noticed this on normal evenings not just holidays (I've been down here during a few of them even though I just moved in for good).

The last time, I feel, is going to be the last time. From now on if someone says "these seats are for people who are expected" I'll tell them "great. When they come, I'll vacate." And park my young-senior butt in the chair.

:shrug: They make a public announcement before each entertainment set starts. Seat saving is allowed if one of your group stays with the saved seats. Or something like that. No seats tied together with string, rope, tape etc. or leaving seat cushions on them and leaving. You may want to check the rules first. :ho:

Having just moved in for good, doesn't give you the right to change rules as you go...…..

From the District Website:

Personal Chairs at Downtown Squares
Personal folding chairs are allowed to be brought to events. The setting up and leaving of chairs prior to 3:00 p.m. is prohibited. Any chairs set up and left on the square prior to 3:00 p.m. will be removed by District Property Management. Our efforts are to manage and maintain a safe environment for visitors, staff and contractors at the squares. We appreciate your attention and support of this matter which will allow our Squares to continue to meet our high community standards.

Further....
From the other news site;
With the return of snowbirds and the approaching of the extremely popular Christmas tree-lighting events nearing, the District Office issued a reminder last week:
While personal folding chairs are allowed at events on the squares, the setting up and leaving of chairs prior to 3 p.m. is prohibited. If you are using the chairs provided, seat saving is not permitted prior to the beginning of entertainment, unless a member of your party remains with your seats. Do not block walkways and be courteous towards others to ensure safe passage by all.

Further....
A few years ago two people were arrested for basically doing, what you are saying you will do.

From districtgov.org:
"Personal folding chairs are allowed to be brought to events. The setting up and leaving of chairs prior to 3:00 p.m. is prohibited. Any chairs set up and left on the square prior to 3:00 p.m. will be removed by District Property Management. Our efforts are to manage and maintain a safe environment for visitors, staff and contractors at the squares. We appreciate your attention and support of this matter which will allow our Squares to continue to meet our high community standards."

This VIP Tent setup has already been done, did anyone who went to the last 4th of July ceremonies at Brownwood have a problem with the VIP Tent? Here it is, this is what all the hoopla is about, a small little tent stuck back between the bleachers. The only advantage I can see is you can get drinks quickly from your own tent bar and not have to wait in the big lines in back by the beer stands. If that's worth $50, then you have that option. It seems like people want to make a big deal out of nothing.

https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...48&oe=5E459340

I'm not changing the rules. I'm honoring them. I'll sit down, and as soon as the people they're saving the seats for show up, I'll yield them back. If they're not already there (dancing, going to the bathroom, getting a drink, etc) then those seats are unoccupied, whether they're saved or not. Three nights ago a lady claimed to be saving SEVEN chairs for people who hadn't shown up yet. She was by herself. Sorry but that just doesn't fly with me. Those people can have the chairs when they get there because they've been "saved" by that lady. Those people won't need them until then.

Good Luck with your plan. Others ended up with hours of community service and probation. I realize you are different.

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I see nothing wrong with this. There are times saved seats remain empty until later in the evening. I've seen saved seats empty until after 8:00pm. What is wrong with utilizing those seats as long as you assure the person saving the seats that you will vacate the seats as soon as someone shows up for them?

:shrug: :boxing2: :police: :a20:

Seriously???? That makes absolutely no sense.

I don't care what rules they have. I like rules. But, if you have a rule, it should be enforced, so everyone is treated equally.