Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 1030186)

The more I think about it, the more I realize that we're fighting a losing battle. As long as the squares are full, what does the entertainment staff care about a piddly little seat saving problem. The squares are full of people who are buying drinks and patronizing the vendors, restaurants and shops around the squares. If you look at it objectively, the squares are a huge success.

We are the people in the old joke who are saying, nobody ever goes there anymore because it's too crowded.

I think for a lot of us who have been hear for a while, it's not worth the effort to go to the squares and see the same old bands and DJs. We don't care about vendor's nights because we've seen the same vendors there every time. The squares are not for us. They are a sales tool. They are for the new people that come here. As long as people are buying houses, renting for the season and vacationing here they will have plenty of people going to the squares. As long as there are thousands of people there every night, it's a huge success and there are no problems.

Originally Posted by Number 6 (Post 1030494)

You got it! If "management" wanted to end seat saving, they would. They would send a couple of staff through at 4:30 to 4:45 PM to cut down the ropes and take up the cushions. They would only have to do that a few times and word would spread. What would that really cost?

Originally Posted by sunnyatlast (Post 1030546)

All they have to do is not put the chairs out (for the nightly entertainment IN the square). Hand a chair to people as they walk in, as Brownwood does, starting a half hour or so before 5pm when music starts. Allow no more than 2 chairs given to one person entering.

Better yet, charge $1 for the chair and give a numbered ticket as it's handed to them, and then at 7pm have a drawing for half the pot. Require the winner to be present to win. The other half of the proceeds would be put toward costs of the entertainment. Then after the drawing, a lot of the people would leave, freeing up chairs for the last 2 hours.

Originally Posted by applesoffh (Post 1030694)

I've said it before and I'll say it again...whoever "Management" and "They" are, there is absolutely no interest in fixing any of these issues, just like confronting people misusing golf carts (allowing young kids to drive or overloading with kids, etc.), and exercise classes in neighborhood pools, or roping off and saving seats at the squares. You're own your own down here. "Management" ("They") don't get involved in problem solving at all - that's why "They" can tout TV as being "America's Friendiest Hometown" in the advertising. For the most part, it is, but when it isn't...

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 1030773)

That makes you no better than "them".

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328 (Post 1030368)

The St. Patrick's Day Parade is a once a year gig. Yes, seats are roped off, the square is extremely crowded, etc. That is not going to change. Either go or not. It is only once a year. Lots and lots of Villagers and visitors have a great time at the activities that day.

However, for the other non-event days of the year, there usually is no problem in finding seats at any of the squares.

I went to Spanish Springs a few nights ago to see the very good entertainment of Susie Casta. She put on a great show. People were plentiful but there were lots of chairs to be had by anyone who wanted one. We also went to Lake Sumter Landing last week to see A Slice of Lime (enjoyable Caribbean style music) and the 41 Corvettes of the Corvette Club. Once again, no chairs roped together and plenty to be had.

Go for yourselves to see if there is a problem with roped off areas. Arrive by 4:30 or so, bring a snack, a cooler, and enjoy the evening. We do.