[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Mimivillager

I was thrilled to see the 8 horses, and the beer wagon with the dalmation and soldier riding on top. We watched them exit the trucks, hitch up, and prepare for the parade. What gorgeous creatures they are! What a routine it is to prepare them! The barking dogs in the crowd got the dalmation excited and he almost fell off the wagon.
[/COLOR]We were not in a hurry and enjoyed walking around. No, we did not walk in front of anyone, but I am sorry that some did spoil the event for others. There must have been 10,000 people there.

As I've previously mentioned before,
events at the squares are NO place for residents to bring their dog,
and not just because of the Budweiser Dalmation.
The asphalt streets and concrete sidewalks are much too hot for their feet,
little dogs can easily get stepped upon and people trip over them.

Most of the time it's just too damn hot for dogs,
and many of them are upset and frightened!

[VT2TV]

Originally Posted by Happydaz

We were there at Brownwood and did enjoy seeing the Clydesdales. It was very crowded as the route they were going to travel was quite short. You can't blame people for jockeying to try to see the horses, it is just what happens in any crowd. We attended the draft horse pull at the Polo Grounds and that was a much better venue for an event such as this. There is much more room there and a much longer track for the horses to go around which would have allowed for a much larger viewing area. Brownwood is just too small for an event such as this.

Actually, I can and do blame people for acting this way. There is NO excuse for rudeness when it comes to jumping in front of, or knocking into people who cannot protect themselves. If this behavior continues to be tolerated, it will only get worse than it already is. One of the biggest problems at the squares, and the entire Village for that matter, is that there is no one who is "in charge" or has any authority to stop people who are acting this way. This is a large area that is getting bigger and bigger--no longer that friendly hometown like Mayberry. And I am NOT saying that the majority are not wonderful people. Un fortunately the minority that acts like this can spoil things for so many. As a mater of fact, from what I read on here and hear from my friends, a lot of the really nice residents don't even go to the squares anymore because of this kind of behavior. And for those who want to read into everything some people say on here---I am not saying that the residents who do go to the squares are not nice. I am only saying that I think we need some type of security guards, or monitors, or whatever to control things when situations do occur

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by VT2TV

Actually, I can and do blame people for acting this way. There is NO excuse for rudeness when it comes to jumping in front of, or knocking into people who cannot protect themselves. If this behavior continues to be tolerated, it will only get worse than it already is. One of the biggest problems at the squares, and the entire Village for that matter, is that there is no one who is "in charge" or has any authority to stop people who are acting this way. This is a large area that is getting bigger and bigger--no longer that friendly hometown like Mayberry. And I am NOT saying that the majority are not wonderful people. Un fortunately the minority that acts like this can spoil things for so many. As a mater of fact, from what I read on here and hear from my friends, a lot of the really nice residents don't even go to the squares anymore because of this kind of behavior. And for those who want to read into everything some people say on here---I am not saying that the residents who do go to the squares are not nice. I am only saying that I think we need some type of security guards, or monitors, or whatever to control things when situations do occur

I'm wondering... shouldn't the responsibility for crowd management lie with the people who have the entertainment contract? Shouldn't they be hiring people to pass out (or not pass out) chairs, manage seat saving arguments, and police crowds? Who's in charge? No one?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by scarecrow1

Another reason for us handicapped people to not go to the squares for anything special. How about a place designated for wheelchairs only!

That is a cracker-jack idea! I would respectfully suggest that anyone using a walker should have access to the wheelchair area. I will be writing this as a suggestion on the current Survey. I hope that others also suggest this. This is a safety and security issue. So hopefully if they receive a lot of similar comments, it may happen.

[VT2TV]

I have never found anyone in charge, or who will admit to it. I agree that the people providing the entertainment should share some of the responsibility, but when we had any form of entertainment at our civic center, downtown, public parks, etc., the local government or similar agency provided security. But I would like to see some form of security or even just "person in charge" especially when there are crowd situations. I am not talking about someone to pass out seats.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I'm wondering... shouldn't the responsibility for crowd management lie with the people who have the entertainment contract? Shouldn't they be hiring people to pass out (or not pass out) chairs, manage seat saving arguments, and police crowds? Who's in charge? No one?

There were "official" guys in red shirts walking ahead of the horses insisting that people move back and clear the way. It was ridiculous to see people purposely standing directly in the horses' path to take pictures.

Although I was thrilled to see the Clydesdales up close and personal, I have to agree that there were some badly-behaved, selfish spectators.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

There were "official" guys in red shirts walking ahead of the horses insisting that people move back and clear the way. It was ridiculous to see people purposely standing directly in the horses' path to take pictures.

Although I was thrilled to see the Clydesdales up close and personal, I have to agree that there were some badly-behaved, selfish spectators.

Bare, I looked at the photos provided by the zzzzzzzzzzzzzvillages hypen news-blah-blah.com. (Okay, I borrowed some of that from Gracie.) The guys in the red shirts seemed to be connected to Budweiser and horse handling, not to the entertainment contractors. I could be wrong; I wasn't there. The photos on that site showed them with the horses, not the spectators.

It just seems like these events shouldn't be thrown out there into the public by the contractors and have everybody left to fend for themselves with no crowd management. Especially where the handicapped are concerned.

Just my thoughts.

[DougB]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

That is a cracker-jack idea! I would respectfully suggest that anyone using a walker should have access to the wheelchair area. I will be writing this as a suggestion on the current Survey. I hope that others also suggest this. This is a safety and security issue. So hopefully if they receive a lot of similar comments, it may happen.

Wonder how fast Walgreens would sell out of walkers before the next big event if they allowed walkers in a wheelchair access area.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by DougB

Wonder how fast Walgreens would sell out of walkers before the next big event if they allowed walkers in a wheelchair access area.

Nah, I thought of that, but walkers at Walgreen aren't cheap. However it's possible a black market might develop on used walkers!

Seriously DougB, you and I both know that no Villagers would ever abuse a privileges such as handicap parking.

[bonrich]

Many, many people!! I had wondered at one time why the acres and acres of black top parking, and how they would ever be used. Well. let me tell you was I wrong! In our golf cart searching for a spot to park. Just amazing. Restaurants were packed and beyond. City Fire had a
2 1/2 hour wait. Ditto for any other place serving food.
There were quite a few spectators in wheelchairs and walkers and I realized they had no hope of seeing these majestic horses. How sad that our Villages would not consider a space on either corner reserved for them.
I would hope in the future for one time events such as these, those needs are considered and acted on.
And for the dog owners, please reconsider bringing them to an event such as this. I don't think it was the best of times for your pet.

[VT2TV]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Bare, I looked at the photos provided by the zzzzzzzzzzzzzvillages hypen news-blah-blah.com. (Okay, I borrowed some of that from Gracie.) The guys in the red shirts seemed to be connected to Budweiser and horse handling, not to the entertainment contractors. I could be wrong; I wasn't there. The photos on that site showed them with the horses, not the spectators.

It just seems like these events shouldn't be thrown out there into the public by the contractors and have everybody left to fend for themselves with no crowd management. Especially where the handicapped are concerned.

Just my thoughts.

I totally agree. I have been saying for a long time that we need some kind of security, police or even monitor at all public events in the Villages. I stopped going to the squares 2 Christmases ago when the people all around us were very, very drunk. Standing in front of our seats, stumbling around while holding a drink in one hand and the candle in the other. I couldn't count the number of times they bumped into us. But when they actually stumbled against me where I was seated, and I felt the heat from their candle on my cheek, that was the last straw!!! That could have been a horrible accident if they had accidentally sloshed the alcohol onto the candle that was so close to my face and hair. I was tired of saying...excuse me, could you...and excuse me, would you.. So I got up and went to find someone, anyone in charge. I walked around the entire square and couldn't find anyone. The people I asked like the workers in the kiosks, and in the sales office said that I should call the police. Wonder how long that would take and if the offenders would even be around then?? So, I just stopped going to the squares for the most part--not worth the trouble for me.

As far as the wheelchairs and walkers and a special seating place for them---I totally agree---if someone is there to monitor it. I agree with the poster who said that there would be a run on both of those mobility aids from stores or friends. And then the people who are just abusing the system would be bringing 10-15 of their best friends.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

I too think there should be a wheelchair only area for watching something like this in the Town Centers. I think I'll add that to my survey.

Well, we've been living here since 2011, and at first we did try to go to the events at the squares, but it's just not worth it with a wheelchair. When there were parades, they always marked off an area to park wheelchairs, which was nice, but that doesn't happen very often.

I have always had a bit of a problem with accessibility in The Villages as far as curb cutouts, and such. You can park at Sumter Landing behind the buildings in a handicapped accessible parking place, but then you cannot find a cutout to get up on the sidewalk.

[conn630]

I took my granddaughters, age 6 and 9 who both love horses, stood in the sun on the route for an hour since they were slow coming. (they did have ice cream and water to cool off, but still a long wait for them.) As the horses approached a tall man and equally tall woman ran in front of them. I tapped the man on the shoulder and he said "Oh, does she want to be up here." He did let her squeeze in. His wife acted like she couldn't hear and didn't allow my 9 year old to see. I was angry and ashamed for them to see how some older people behave here in the friendliest hometown. I hope she reads TOTV and feels bad, but I doubt it.

[Golfingnut]

It is the self gratification times we live in. Now for my opinion, I think the type that would block the view of a wheel chair bound person also would not appreciate a sunset without being with someone else to Bragg about it to. When you learn to love life's beauty alone you will learn to help others enjoy it rather than interfering with it.

[Billyworld]

If you never surface, you won't get harpooned! This is how it's done up North.