[I'm Popeye!]

Once or twice a year......

[PersonOfInterest]

What squares?

[gbs317]

We go whenever we have family or friends visit, otherwise rarely now after five years here.

[banjobob]

Poster from Stone Crest asks? What Squares.

[msilagy]

Let's go see Rocky and the Rollers for the 100th time! I really am villaged out! Didn't get to the square once in 6 months last winter

[CarrieOn]

Since sawgrass opened .. I prefer to chill there.. smaller crowd.. I must be getting old..

[NotGolfer]

Been here 14 yrs....at first we'd go frequently, sometimes just to drive around and sometimes if a spot available we'd park. Now, never! As others said---too crowded, limited parking, hot, or wet, and it's lost it's appeal. IF/when we get visitors we'd take them. Used to go to Panera frequently and other spots too but that's no longer appealing neither. Think when the plague came it changed alot of "habits"....or maybe not. I do know we stay home a lot more. Meaning we got used to it and we like the comfort here.

[daca55]

I’m single so I enjoy going to the squares to be with people and listen to the music. I think if I was in a relationship I would be like most people who have commented here and only go once in a while.

[deborahcme]

Novelty always wears off, no matter where you are. There's a kind of magic in being a "newbie" that makes issues like parking and crowds disappear. I love that there's free entertainment available whenever I want to take part. But yeah, you get to know the bands and their routines, and you get to where you sort out the "greats" from the "ok, we have music and it's free," ha ha! When I lived in Italy, I became aware of a community thing called "la passiagiata" (and I hope I spelled that right). Basically, it translates as "the walk." Anyway, in the evenings, people would stroll along the shops and restaurants lining the beach. They'd greet old friends, make new ones, exclaim over dogs and kiddos and show off their new clothes or hair dos, shop the windows, maybe grab a slice of pizza with a glass of vino, or have a real restaurant meal. Admire the ever-changing sky as the sun set. This evening walk also had its downsides--crowds, heat, etc., but almost everyone agreed that it was way better than being stuck in the house watching TV.

[Dnash]

Would go to the squares more if there was more country music and less stock and and Roll.

[MikeC]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

When I was on my lifestyle and short-term visits last year, I was at the squares pretty much every night, as the whole concept was very “novel” to me. I would open the Daily Sun each morning, see who was playing at each square that night, and drive or take my cart to that square ( a few times I made an appearance at all 3 squares the same night).

Once I moved here, I was going to the squares probably 4-5 nights per week for the first few months, and sampled most every band, and rated each on my phone, quickly determining which ones I preferred more than others.

Once I knew who my favorite bands were, I started just waited for them to appear at the square closest to me (Brownwood).

Then, I sorta stopped going to some that previously “were” one of my favorite bands, as the order of songs played, and even the “schtick” and “banter” between songs became repetitive, and almost identical to previous times.

7 months in, I’m down to maybe going to the squares once a week, and sometimes once every-other-week. I have found going out is more about sitting and socializing with my friends and neighbors, vs which band is playing (though I still have my handful of bands that I will make an attempt to see - just don’t want to “OD” on them).

Curious about how often others get out to the squares at night.

Pretty much same. Every night during lifestyle visit. Then slowly went down to now after 7 years we only go to see a favorite band. Winters are crowded with snow bird arrivals. Summers are too hot until later in the evening. Our new favorite band is Sugar Vibe

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

Been here almost 5 years now and have gone to the Squares maybe 4 times. Holds no interest for me. Usually too hot, too crowded and too noisy. I'm glad others enjoy it.

10 times in 10 years. Same reasons as yours.

[cindyfeh]

We go two to three times a week after being here for five years. We love the music, line dancing and the people! Living a half of a mile from Lake Sumter makes it very easy and convenient. It is a quick walk or cart ride.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by deborahcme

Novelty always wears off, no matter where you are. There's a kind of magic in being a "newbie" that makes issues like parking and crowds disappear. I love that there's free entertainment available whenever I want to take part. But yeah, you get to know the bands and their routines, and you get to where you sort out the "greats" from the "ok, we have music and it's free," ha ha! When I lived in Italy, I became aware of a community thing called "la passiagiata" (and I hope I spelled that right). Basically, it translates as "the walk." Anyway, in the evenings, people would stroll along the shops and restaurants lining the beach. They'd greet old friends, make new ones, exclaim over dogs and kiddos and show off their new clothes or hair dos, shop the windows, maybe grab a slice of pizza with a glass of vino, or have a real restaurant meal. Admire the ever-changing sky as the sun set. This evening walk also had its downsides--crowds, heat, etc., but almost everyone agreed that it was way better than being stuck in the house watching TV.

Sounds like a real life version of social media

[Brynnie]

Originally Posted by msilagy

Let's go see Rocky and the Rollers for the 100th time! I really am villaged out! Didn't get to the square once in 6 months last winter

Used to go a few times a year when we moved here 18 years ago, but the novelty wore off after a couple of years. They used to have long tables at LSL, where friends and neighbors could congregate to celebrate New Years Eve together. Anyone remember that? Christmas Tree lighting used to be fun, too. Crowds were much smaller then. Too many people now.