The Villages - Brownwood

I visited the newly opened Paddock Square, the commercial area of the new Brownwood Village at "The Villages".  Watch the videos of "The Building of Brownwood" for some really interesting history. Located in the heart of Florida, The Villages is the largest single-site residential real estate development in the United States spanning over 26,000 acres in three adjoining counties in Central Florida. "Brownwood Paddock Square is the newest urban downtown and serves as a third location where entertainment, dining and shopping draw consumers from the regional market. Brownwood’s design is based on old-look architecture of Old World Florida and will take residents back to a time in the 1800’s when Florida’s cattle hunters and cowboys roamed the state. The development will be highlighted by Paddock Square, a town square where residents congregate for nightly entertainment with plenty of food and retail opportunities."  Construction is scheduled to be completed 2015.



Bronze sculptures specially designed and manufactured for Brownwood



Original windmill from the family's farm in Michigan



53,000 sq, ft. theater with 8 theaters



Theater lobby



Entrance way to the 8 theaters

 

Palace Hotel

Sumter County Flea Market

I took a day off from my R&R to visit one of the largest and oldest flea markets in Florida, the Webster Flea Market.  It covers over 40 acres and accommodates over 1,200 dealers. You can "shop 'til you drop". The Flea Market is open every Monday of the year and the cattle sales start at noon every Tuesday and runs until all the cattle are sold. (just in case you've got some cattle to sell)

Many of the founders of the Market still sell fresh produce grown on local family farms in the expansive new vegetable building.

Three Flags Thousand Trails RV Resort

I'm now resting and relaxing at the Three Flags RV Resort in Wildwood, FL for a few days before moving on to my "home base" campground.