[skip0358]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Oh, I see its the fault of the Event Staff.

Possibly. If it's NOT allowed and event staff persons know it,and your going to enforce it for some people and not all because you don't want a confrontation. Then have signs posted by the poweres to be so everyone knows and it can and should be enforced on everyon at that point.

[bargee]

If these rude"entitled people" are allowed to continue this practice I fear the provided chairs will go the way of the Buffalo.

[memason]

Well, I'm gonna go against the grain here and say that it isn't rude to save these seats or chairs. It's the way it's done in TV...for whatever reason, it has been accepted behavior for years. Personally, I don't engage in the practice of saving seats, but I have friends and neighbors who do. However, they stay with their reserved seats/tables all day.

What can the event staff do? Here's a tip...

Yesterday, I was at LSL, where my some of my neighbors had been saving a table and chairs since 5:00am. When I was there, the sun was starting to hit their spot and it was getting very hot. One of them owns a fold-up tent, like they use in the squares for market night. I asked him why he didn't just throw up the tent until parade time to get out of the sun. They told me the "staff" does not allow you to have any umbrella's or tents. They laughed at my suggestion, as if I'd just hopped off the turnip truck.. So, there is some control exercised by the staff.

OK...here's the best part. I texted my friend about 6:00pm and asked him how the celebration was going at the square. He texted back, "We're at Cane, waiting for a table. If you've seen one parade, you've seen 'em all."

You gotta love it . . .

[Midge538]

Originally Posted by Challenger

I believe that a process to educate TV residents as to what the accepted behavior should be ....

It is my opinion that it was 'other than Village residents' that had reserved sections for seating.

[Posh 08]

Maybe the prime seating should be "sold" by the Fire Dept, Boy Scouts etc. A donation for a seat.

[rhredd1654]

Originally Posted by Midge538

It is my opinion that it was 'other than Village residents' that had reserved sections for seating.

I guess I don't understand why all these events are "open to the public". I very seldom go to the squares at night because of the crowding and rudeness of some of the people. Besides, you can't carry on a conversation with all the "hot rodding" going on. Am I in the minority, or should us Villagers take back our Squares?

[aln]

I see it as a 2 sided arguement and both points are valid.

On one hand "I" want to see the parade with my friends. "I" will get there early to get us a table.

On the OTHER hand "I" want to see the parade but when "I" got there there was no tables because "I" was late.

And if you put it in the survey all that you'll accomplish is getting the elimination of the parade and even extras.

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

Maybe the prime seating should be "sold" by the Fire Dept, Boy Scouts etc. A donation for a seat.

Or perhaps seats and tables could be awarded using a lottery system. That way, folks who really want to have a spot at the squares could potentially buy a "place" from someone who won a "place" via the lottery system.

The cost of administering the lottery and policing seat assignments at events would be paid for by the lottery entry fee.

No confrontation, no hard feelings, everybody wins!

[NotGolfer]

I see this thread is very long and "I" haven't read all of the comments though the majority as in league with my thoughts. I totally agree this is horrible!!
When we first came here to live we wanted to experience the squares, the fun etc. The very first Christmas 3 years ago---for the tree lighting was the first and last for me (us). We got there around 5 and of course it was crowded and ALL the "good" chairs were taken. We were 'fortunate' to find a couple behind the gazebo but of course couldn't see alot of the activity. My memory is that it wasn't all that enjoyable with shoulder to shoulder folks---then there was the traffic jam of getting there (parking) and home again. We tend to avoid the squares now for most any reason much less the special events.

We happened to be traveling from the area of 441 (cartride/errands) down to the area near Colony late in the afternoon yesterday and my word the crowds just vying to park by Sweet Bay etc was incredible. I wonder if anyone who wanted to shop there could find a spot at that time???

I do think that something needs to be done about the "saving spots"!! What happened to the let's be fair mentality??

[George Bieniaszek]

I like the ideas of some previous posters who suggested that the tables and a number of chairs per table be acquired with a donation to a non-profit charity as a fund raiser for them. That way, the fights and arguments over the tables would be diminished.

I don't understand why TV needs to put out these tables in the first place. The additional costs by staff to set up the tables and chairs, then collect all of them scattered all over town square must cost some money.

If you want to come down to the town square and celebrate, why not bring your own tail-gating tables, chairs, etc. and stake out your area.

Better yet, have everyone interested in staking out a place meet one block away with all their equipment and a TV Official blow a whistle at a predetermined time and watch everyone sprint down the street like an 1800's land rush to grab their piece of heaven!!

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by George Bieniaszek

I like the ideas of some previous posters who suggested that the tables and a number of chairs per table be acquired with a donation to a non-profit charity as a fund raiser for them. That way, the fights and arguments over the tables would be diminished.

I don't understand why TV needs to put out these tables in the first place. The additional costs by staff to set up the tables and chairs, then collect all of them scattered all over town square must cost some money.

If you want to come down to the town square and celebrate, why not bring your own tail-gating tables, chairs, etc. and stake out your area.

Better yet, have everyone interested in staking out a place meet one block away with all their equipment and a TV Official blow a whistle at a predetermined time and watch everyone sprint down the street like an 1800's land rush to grab their piece of heaven!!

The thought of seniors racing for their spots was too much. Coffee off keyboard cleaning to commence.

[momesu]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

Maybe the prime seating should be "sold" by the Fire Dept, Boy Scouts etc. A donation for a seat.

Oh I like that....there are many charities that could benifit from this.....I can just hear the screams of protest to this already......

Suzanne

[momesu]

Originally Posted by Midge538

It is my opinion that it was 'other than Village residents' that had reserved sections for seating.

Nope I don't think so.....not from what I saw anyway. They were mainly neighborhood groups or club members that banded together.

Suzanne

[momesu]

Originally Posted by George Bieniaszek

I like the ideas of some previous posters who suggested that the tables and a number of chairs per table be acquired with a donation to a non-profit charity as a fund raiser for them. That way, the fights and arguments over the tables would be diminished.

I don't understand why TV needs to put out these tables in the first place. The additional costs by staff to set up the tables and chairs, then collect all of them scattered all over town square must cost some money.

If you want to come down to the town square and celebrate, why not bring your own tail-gating tables, chairs, etc. and stake out your area.

Better yet, have everyone interested in staking out a place meet one block away with all their equipment and a TV Official blow a whistle at a predetermined time and watch everyone sprint down the street like an 1800's land rush to grab their piece of heaven!!

then again maybe Which ever CERT couldn't be in parade they would be needed to pick up all the pieces........

Suzanne

[Skybo]

I think if you want to claim/save a chair, then your butt needs to be in it. If you want to claim/save 6 chairs, then you need all six butts sitting in them. Let your whole party sit there all day long if the location is that important to you. But roping off a whole row of chairs or staking claim to an entire table, and then posting a “guard” is ridiculous. Anyone who thinks this is acceptable behavior is completely self-centered. It should be first butt-in-the-chair gets the chair.