I was just informed that they are doing the last car show this Saturday, I’m hoping it was bad information.

I was under the impression it was the final show before the revitalization work but that they would come back after the work was done. I don't remember where I saw that and I don't know if it is true but there is hope.

They might be replaced by other older people

There was an article in the Daily Sun last month that indicated the long running monthly cruise in was being discontinued. If my memory is correct, there was no mention of it starting back up again after the planned work on the square is completed. I certainly hope it comes back, my wife and I very much enjoyed checking out all the beautiful old model cars. More importantly, why bother to spend money revitalizing the square if they keep discontinuing the events that draw people there. People aren’t going to go to the square to see updated entry points and reimagined store fronts, they go to for the entertainment, including special events like the cruise in.

I saw it in an article in the news source which shall not be named. The statement was that the event will be on hold while the renovations take place. That implies they will resume afterwards but it is not a definitive statement or authorized source of information.

There was always lots of foot traffic, but How much $$ actually spent in business around SS during car shows? For years SS car events have been well attended, yet businesses continue to vacate the square. Even with possible higher rent, if Business is profitable they will continue to serve the residents. If a large event shuts down a square, that isn’t beneficial to local businesses, how does event contribute to keeping SS vibrant.

For years we attended SS car shows 1-2 times a year. But our memory is very good, and it’s the same cars event after event. Rarely a change, even if a car is sold it remains the same car, just a different person sitting in the chair next to it.

Maybe TV Event Planner thinks the Renovations will take more than a year, and some won’t remember where or when the car show was but just an event from their past.

An old Spanish Springs story. A lot of people want to enjoy what SS provides, but do not want to spend any money. It's why things go away.

The crowds of 2004-2007 in SS will never return. Too many places to access, younger residents leave the bubble in far greater numbers for better restaurants, and retail.

Does anyone have a link to info regarding the planned improvements to Spanish Springs.

Comment # 63.

The same thing has been happening to many smaller coastal Florida towns that were booming in the 80's-90's. The older people are either dead or not spending much money. Sure there's a small percentage of "younger" retirees buying their homes, but it's way less than it was.

Spanish Springs will surely die out and the developer will sell off the area on the other side of 441 to another trailer park company.

What exactly will "the developer" sell, since likely every home and lot is privately owned?

Yes, exactly. It's amazing how often people simply make-up stuff, that they actually believe, and pass it off as real. Smh, where's the down vote button on here?

Intelligently, the upcoming upgrades to SS will include expanding more seated outdoor food/beverage places. Blondies is full every night so, they will run with that concept to meet the demand..

Could a big part of the problem be that people don’t go there because the area doesn’t any longer get the prime entertainment that draws people there? The weekly farmers market used to fill the square every week since people always need fresh fruit and vegetables. That was moved to Brownwood and replaced with a weekly crafts fair with the same stuff every week that people don’t need. The Cruise In, which appears to be discounted going forward, was another big draw. The entertainment schedule for next month just came out, and Relic, which is probably the biggest draw, is scheduled three times, Lake Sumter, Brownwood, and Sawgrass, but not Spanish Springs. People don’t show up at the town squares on a regular basis just to walk around, they want entertainment. The St. Patrick’s event last March proves that people will go to Spanish Springs if they have prime events, yet the area keeps getting under emphasized. Take away the best entertainment and you take away the traffic. I fear Spanish Springs will get shortchanged even worse when Eastport opens up.

I believe you are probably correct. Kind of a catch-22 situation: Lack of activities drives low attendance while low attendance "proves" that activities aren't popular. Hopefully, the refresh will attract more visits with bands and activities following soon after.