[jandbrare]

I received an email that frankly is confusing:

"Since receipt of your e-mail, we have learned from Bill Gottschalk (director, Regions 6, 7, and 9 of The Villages Homeowners Association) the following (quoted from Bill's e-mail): "the entertainment department was bought by B. Vesco and her husband from The Villages. As a result, they have looked at programs that have lost money for the entertainment department. From what I hear, the parades have been extremely costly and, therefore, they have been dropped or plan to be dropped as a result of this purchase by the Vescos. At this point, I would not quote Dr. Lester's comment in the paper." - VHA's November 2012 issue,"The Village Voice," page 10, last question listed in the "Town Hall Meeting" article: Will holiday parades be continued at the town centers each year? Answer: "Yes, watch The Daily Sun for locations and details in advance of traditional holidays." "It looks like the developer is no longer directly involved with the entertainment department and we now must work with the Vesco family."

Anyone shed any light on the parade situation?

I was aware of the potential some time ago and made a post which included the phrase "There's a Rooster in the Hen House" when I recognized that Paul Vesco's acts (He's an agent) were increasingly dominating the entertainment at the town squares after he had married Barbara, the long-time entertainment director. Well, it looks as if that was just the start: Barbara and Paul Vesco have now bought the "hen house."

So what? Who cares? These were among the responses to my post at that time. Well, if you like parades and you won't be seeing and participating in the future, you might care.

This may be an alarmist-type post and that is why I am asking for any additional information on the subject. If it is just alarming, I apologize, right now.

[jandbrare]

Found this in my email, also:

Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 10:07 PM
Subject: Re: News -IMPORTANT

Nadia, the Entertainment Dept. organizer/contact for The Villages, is telling all the club leaders this. She is the one who schedules all the clubs/performances for each festivity, what time and square, etc. All this was just announced to the clubs within the last week (or less). What additional info I learned today is that all parades for 2013 (and beyond) are canceled, no longer happening. The "Fest" activities will tentatively include additional performances from the clubs/groups (in addition to the nightly music)...IE: the Italian Fest may have performances from say, the cheerleaders and belly dancers, provided they wear the appropriate colors and dance/perform to the appropriate music, IE; Italian music (which isn't a biggie as I think the groups try to do that anyway). But, subject to change. They are not giving a specific reason, however, speculation is it all boils down to dollars and cents. If they feel they're not making enough profit they stop doing it. Regardless of the fact they use these festivities to lore folks here to live. I spoke with the ex-president of the Maryland Club who filled me in on a little insight. She said that because folks here are retired they'll all wait for someone else to do something about this. If we only have a few folks upset nothing will happen. If, as a huge group of 80,000, we stand up to the developer and say we aren't happy about this or how can we take this over and handle it ourselves in the future, we might have a chance of getting a positive result. As the Maryland group, they used to rent the polo grounds/table area and kitchen to boil their own crabs for 200 people. They would rent it for one day from 8am to 9PM and cook the crabs for $200. When the developer took the grounds (back) over they raised the fee to $600 and said the club would have to use one of their caterers, either La Hacienda or Katie Belles, cause of course, they own them. Needless to say, the Maryland group stop this event.

Everyone I've talked to about this is extremely upset. I know some are posting stuff on facebook (I don' know how to go about this). Some are talking about letters to the editor (a joke of course, as the developer won't let those be put in the Daily Sun).

I did a search on TOTV before I posted this stuff and was very surprised not to find a topic. If I overlooked it and it is already a "tired" subject, sorry.

[pooh]

Actually, this topic has been discussed and not too long ago. Some have indeed received the same e-mail you have. There may be a variation or two, but in all honesty, I'm not sure if anyone has posted what really is going on because I don't think anyone truly knows.

Rumors are easily started and not always intentionally. We'll just have to be patient and wait to see what transpires.

[redwitch]

There have actually been a couple of posts -- one about the emails you posted and at least one about protesting the lack of parades.

I'm sure the parades are a big money loser for the developer (insurance, etc.), the stores (people really don't shop before, during or after a parade), the restaurants (people either make it a picnic event or buy from the tents). So, I'd guess that unless someone (Villagers or clubs) are willing to foot the bill for the parades, they are gone. But, for now, it is still not official.

[jandbrare]

Thanks for the responses. Times change...and not always for the good.

[Bogie Shooter]

Possible headline: Villages reinstates parades after protest

Villages Cancels all Parades beginning in 2013

[lovesports]

Originally Posted by redwitch

There have actually been a couple of posts -- one about the emails you posted and at least one about protesting the lack of parades.

I'm sure the parades are a big money loser for the developer (insurance, etc.), the stores (people really don't shop before, during or after a parade), the restaurants (people either make it a picnic event or buy from the tents). So, I'd guess that unless someone (Villagers or clubs) are willing to foot the bill for the parades, they are gone. But, for now, it is still not official.

The restaurants in the squares loved the parades because there business boomed after the parades. After the St. Pat's parade last year, everyplace was packed with anywhere from an hour to a three hour wait for a table. We gave up after a long wait for TGIF and ended up at Gators and waited a long time there too. McCall's Tavern has sold the most beer of the year after the St. Pat's parade(along with corned beef and cabbage) for many years.

[graciegirl]

Application for floats and participants for Christmas parade was in yesterday's Daily Sun.

[Bryan]

Christmas Parade has not been at a town square for several years - it is at the Polo Field now.

[graciegirl]

Well...IF the Vesco's bought the entertainment part and IF it is a private business that is run for profit, if the parades do bring in money to the businesses on the square, then those businesses will support the expense for the parades and they will continue. Someone cleans up, puts up extra seating, pays for extra security....etc. Nothing is FREE.

I heard from a reliable source this afternoon that the Vesco's did NOT buy the entertainment department.

BUT....It is much the same as in government. When you dance someone pays the tuba player.

Or some such other practical saying.. If not many folks REALLY attended and spent money...they won't continue.

WHO will put up one of those things on here where posters can vote as to how much they love a parade?

[billethkid]

when the developer has control of, anything, usually the objective is for the residents and marketing of TV.

When an independent buys an entity from the developer, it is usually an insider, and the objective is no longer for the residents and marketing of TV it is for their bottom line.

Being insiders they have a no fail opportunity having either being able to watch an entity or like those who bought the entertainment package....it was what they ran for years. Hence $$$$$$$$$$$

btk

[ricthemic]

We enjoy going to the squares especially when they have a band. I am probably in the minority but other than a veteran's day or forth of july parade I find all parades everywhere totally boring

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I thought we beat this subject to death on the other two threads. I guess not

[Golfingnut]

I have read so much on this subject, I no longer know the answer. Are parades canceled after January or not???

[lovesports]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

I have read so much on this subject, I no longer know the answer. Are parades canceled after January or not???

The clubs I'm in are having us call and write Barb Vesco to complain. ( The Vescos make their money on what they charge the musicians.) Things could change but ...the letters the clubs have, seem to imply this decision was made long ago by the Developer. I've seen so many things taken away ( indoor pool, Buffalo,)and its always about money. If money can be made, it comes back.
We have so many insurance and financial companies (plus local horses people) backing polo, that polo came back. But it could go any year. You never know.

Billethkid said it best.

Gracie I don't think the few restaurants have much profit left over as they have high rents and a percentage of their sales goes to the developer.

Answer, no one knows for sure what will happen. Life will go on either way.