[HIgolfers]

Resident for 6 years. Have never been. This year have family visiting so sent them to Strawberry Festival Sat morning at 10 am. They couldn’t find parking- said it was total mob scene. So my question is how early do you have to arrive?

[Altavia]

We had no trouble just before 10. Big crowd. Lots of vendors.

But leaving at 11, golf carts were backed up past the other side of 44.

[Hape2Bhr]

Mardi Gras parking at Lake Sumter this week was nonexistent if you were a later arrival and traffic was extremely heavy. I dropped my wife and grandchild off. When they were ready to leave, I took the golf cart and waited for them on the MMP by the park outside of Sonny's.

[Nana2Teddy]

We just tried to go at 11:30 in our car, and couldn’t park. It was insane. We’re going to try later in our golf cart because we did occasionally see a golf cart spot open. This will be our first Strawberry Festival, so definitely not a great first impression.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy

We just tried to go at 11:30 in our car, and couldn’t park. It was insane. We’re going to try later in our golf cart because we did occasionally see a golf cart spot open. This will be our first Strawberry Festival, so definitely not a great first impression.

What would make it a good impression?

[GrnThumb]

How about a festival in each square on the same day to distribute the crowds or have it at the Polo Field?

[Papa_lecki]

Got there around 12:30, golf cart. It was crowded, but i was able to park.

[Michael 61]

My first year here - was not impressed. Arrived via golf cart approx 1015 AM. A complete zoo. No parking on southside of square. Got one of a few golf cart spots left on north end of square. Felt like a cheap county fair, with lots of tacky vendors selling stuff I have no interest in. One street you could barely walk, and I had to exit in between two street vendors to get out of the crowd. Super long lines for what looked like average strawberry shortcake, that I can make better at home. Music act playing was mediocre. Left around 11am, taking the golf cart overpass. In opposite direction, golf carts were at a complete stop almost all the way from Richmond to Brownwood. I won’t be back next year, huge disappointment.

[Babubhat]

Brownwood cart bridge backed up for over half mile at 10am and nowhere to exit on other side. Gridlock like Nyc.

Move it to polo grounds

[Buckeyephan]

We stopped going to special events at the squares years ago. They used to be lots of fun but became too crowded. After building the apartments and more stores and restaurants, parking at Brownwood became a nightmare. People park at Eisenhower and walk to the square. We’ll leave things to newbies and visitors. These events don’t offer anything that is worth the hassle. Actually, we do miss the weekly drink specials and entertainment, but not worth putting up with the crowds.

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

My first year here - was not impressed. Arrived via golf cart approx 1015 AM. A complete zoo. No parking on southside of square. Got one of a few golf cart spots left on north end of square. Felt like a cheap county fair, with lots of tacky vendors selling stuff I have no interest in. One street you could barely walk, and I had to exit in between two street vendors to get out of the crowd. Super long lines for what looked like average strawberry shortcake, that I can make better at home. Music act playing was mediocre. Left around 11am, taking the golf cart overpass. In opposite direction, golf carts were at a complete stop almost all the way from Richmond to Brownwood. I won’t be back next year, huge disappointment.

Thank you for this post. I showed it to my wife and it got me out of having to go tomorrow.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

My first year here - was not impressed. Arrived via golf cart approx 1015 AM. A complete zoo. No parking on southside of square. Got one of a few golf cart spots left on north end of square. Felt like a cheap county fair, with lots of tacky vendors selling stuff I have no interest in. One street you could barely walk, and I had to exit in between two street vendors to get out of the crowd. Super long lines for what looked like average strawberry shortcake, that I can make better at home. Music act playing was mediocre. Left around 11am, taking the golf cart overpass. In opposite direction, golf carts were at a complete stop almost all the way from Richmond to Brownwood. I won’t be back next year, huge disappointment.

Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.

[JD Tremor]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.

If "Nobody goes there", why is it too crowded? LOL

[Battlebasset]

Originally Posted by JD Tremor

If "Nobody goes there", why is it too crowded? LOL

Look up "Yogi Berra" quote.

[Bunny1]

Wildwood Police were giving out bicycle helmets. They were fitting you with correct size and distributing to people in line. Helmets looked very nice!