Good Morning, Villages. Welcome to the Villages Pulse! ⚡️ This newsletter is your go-to source for all things Villages, but especially about the fun events, dining and music in the Villages. No crimes, no rumors, no drama! We’re here to share the latest and greatest about our vibrant, growing, community—everything you want to know and what you didn’t realize you needed to know! I want to welcome the 439 new subscribers who signed up this weekend! Thanks for joining us! We’re just getting started, so if you have suggestions on what you’d like to see in these twice a week updates, hit reply to this email and don’t hold back!

In today’s Villages Pulse:

• Strawberry Festival a HUGE success 🍓 

• Weather stays cool and comfortable 🆒 

• Tons of live music 🎶 🎸 and dining events below

Let’s dive in.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Top Story

🍓 Perfect Weekend at Brownwood Strawberry Festival 🍓 

Wow, what a weekend at the 2025 Brownwood Strawberry Festival! It’s hard to believe it’s already come and gone, but I’m still buzzing from all the fun. The music 🎸 was absolutely fantastic—Saturday night’s after-party 👯 with those tribute act had everyone dancing, and Sunday’s lineup kept the good vibes going strong. The vendors were out in full force, too, with booths overflowing with fresh strawberries, tasty treats, and all sorts of goodies you couldn’t resist taking home. The crowds? They were huge. It felt like a total success, with everyone raving about the energy and how smoothly everything ran. Perfectly temps just warm enough to enjoy being outside without breaking a sweat (or nearly dying from heat stroke). This weekend was a great time, and I’m already counting down to next year!

Here’s a video showing some of the highlights. Not mine, as I left my phone in the car!

🏘️ Dare To Dream

The housing market may have softened somewhat since the heady covid era housing market boom, but that doesn’t mean one can’t dream about buying the most expensive home currently for sale in The Villages. Here’s the deets on this house at 2850 Cedar Grove Loop, The Villages:

Price: $2,098,000 | Village of Pinellas
- 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,828
- Price per square foot: $741
- Lot size: 0.5 acres
- Days on market: 52 days

Featured Photo

Business News

Areas Newest Outback Steakhouse Opens Tuesday in Wildwood

A fresh Outback is rising at Trailwinds Village on County Road 466A in Wildwood, going from zilch to steakhouse shell in just eight weeks—faster than you can yell "Bloomin’ Onion!" This 5,000-square-foot restaurant, the second Outback for The Villages area, will seat 187 hungry patrons itching for Aussie eats. It’s situated between ABC Liquor and a mattress shop—steak, booze, and a snooze, anyone? This past Saturday diners were welcomed for a soft opening/preview used as a training event for new staff. Born in Tampa in ’88, Outback’s part of Bloomin’ Brands’ tasty lineup with Carrabba’s and Bonefish Grill. Golf carts at the ready —more shrimp on the barbie’s coming soon!

What’s Happenin’

Here’s a few interesting events happening early this week:

Cooking Class @ Prima Italian Steakhouse - Mon Feb 24th 12 PM OR 2:30 PM details

Free Movie for Seniors: The Unbreakable Boy | Old Mill Playhouse - Doors open at 1pm. 2PM start Details

Mafia Murder Mystery Dinner Event, February 27, 2025, 6PM, The Bistro @ Grand Oaks

Trailblazing Women Of Country, The Sharon, Mon Feb 24th, 7 PM Tickets

Dusty Slay, The Sharon, Tue Feb 25, 2025 / 7pm | Comedian |Tickets

**On Sale Feb 26 at 10am: Direct From Sweden: The Music of Abba | Savannah Center | Show Dates are May 9 and 10 - Details and to purchase tickets

Sumter Landing Electric Light Party Presented By: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | Friday Feb. 28 | 4 - 10 PM | Blonde Ambition on stage, Glow Lounge, vendors and plenty of tasty food trucks Details

Kevin Nealon @ The Tracy | Thursday Feb 27, 7 PM | Kevin Nealon is an Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and comedian who sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humor, dry wit and likable demeanor. Tickets

Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Civil News & Updates

District Customer Service Center Ribbon Cutting and Open House

Feb 27, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Brownwood Paddock Square: Come visit District's new building, meet staff, and discover a showcase of services

The following Executive golf courses are closed for renovation:

• Amberwood - under renovation

• Bacall - under renovation

• Pelican - under renovation

• Pimlico - under renovation

• Saddlebrook - Bunker renovation

The following facilities are closed on the specified day this week:

• El Santiago Rec Indoor and Outdoor Facilities and family pool | Wed Feb 26

• Lake Miona Rec Indoor and Outdoor Facilities and Sports Pool | Mon Feb 24

Weather

Monday

64 🌡️ 59| 🌦️ | 80% | 🌬️ E 5 - 10 mph

Tuesday

69 🌡️ 52 | ⛅️ | 20% | 🌬️ N 5 - 10 mph

Wednesday

74 🌡️ 56 | 🌤️ | 0% | 🌬️ NE 0 - 5mph

Thanks!

Thanks for reading Villages Pulse today. 👍️ If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves strawberries.