76.2 F
The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Villages ready to revive festivals at town squares in era of COVID-19

The Villages will be reviving festivals at town squares in the era of COVID-19.

Last year as fears of the Coronavirus were beginning to ramp up in March, The Villages Entertainment Department abruptly pulled the plug on the St. Patrick’s Day festival at Lake Sumter Landing. The event was set to take place that afternoon and evening and vendors were setting up as the order came down that the event was being canceled. That day also marked the closing of the town squares due to COVID-19. The squares did not reopen until October.

Vendors were breaking down at Lake Sumter Landing on March 13 after the St. Patrick’s Day celebration was shut down due to concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus.

The Villages Entertainment Department has unveiled the dates and locations of the following upcoming festivals:

• Mardi Gras Festival will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Feb. 16 at Spanish Springs Town Square. The event will include music, food and dancing.

• The Strawberry Festival will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Feb. 26 at Brownwood Paddock Square.

• The St. Patrick’s Day Festival is scheduled to return to Lake Sumter Landing from 3 to 9 p.m. March 12. St. Patrick’s Day will also be celebrated from 3 to 9 p.m. March 17 at Spanish Springs Town Square.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise as the nationwide death toll has surpassed 400,000. Vaccine doses have been hard to come by in The Villages, especially after the abrupt departure of Global Medical Response. This is despite the vaccination site touted by Gov. Ron DeSantis and his promise in December that seniors would move to the front of the line.

Do you think it’s a good idea to revive festivals at the town squares? Share your thoughts at news@villages-news.com

Neglect of golf course maintenance now costing us millions of dollars

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of St. Charles resident argues that neglect of golf course maintenance is now costing residents millions of dollars.

Karen says her intent has been misinterpreted

A Village of Belle Aire resident who stirred quite a discussion with a previous Letter to the Editor, follows up to say that her intent was misinterpreted.

Our amenities are being used by families with kids

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of Citrus Grove resident says she is not happy about families with kids using amenities paid for by residents.

Finally allocating funds to the golf courses!

A Village of Hadley resident said he is happy that more money is being allocated to the golf courses. Read his Letter to the Editor.

Trump is unfit for any office

A Village of Osceola Hills resident, in a Letter to the Editor, details why he thinks former President Trump is unfit to hold any office.