🌅 Good Morning, Villagers. This is the Villages Pulse, the newsletter that shares fun events, live music listings, and highlights local businesses/restaurants 🍽️. Happy National Chili Day! Beans or No beans? At least it’ll still be cool enough to enjoy some hot, tasty chili. If you don’t like chili, it’s also National Kahlua day. And…on this day in 1827, Mardi Gras was celebrated in New Orleans for the very first time.

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In today’s Villages Pulse:

• New Chipotle Mexican Grill opens

• Can’t miss events coming up soon

• Lots of great Live Music now through the weekend

Let’s dive in.

— Kevin Rogers

Featured Photo/Social Media photo

Business News

New Chipotle Opens in Wildwood

Wildwood officially has a new Chipotle Mexican Grill 🌯 , which opened yesterday, at 6010 Signature Road.  Expect all the classics—burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads—made fresh.  Quesadillas and lifestyle bowls are online only, and they’ve got catering covered too.  It’s a big win for Wildwood, which has been growing fast 💹 , with the population doubling since the pandemic!  Chipotle joins Outback Steakhouse and other chains popping up in Wildwood.  Not only more food options but also more jobs.

Potbelly Sandwich Works Off To a Great Start

Last week Potbelly Sandwich Works opened with great fanfare in Lady Lake on 441 near Starbucks at Rolling Acres. The fanfare continues a week and a half later, with plenty of positive feedback on the quality and value of their menu offerings, as well as kudos to their friendly and helpful staff.

Weekend Events / Coming Soon

☘️Shamrockin’ Fest & McCracken’s Beer Garden | March 14 and 15.  Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a huge two-day party in the streets. BBQ and Chili Cookoff.  The event is located on Main St in historic downtown Leesburg. More info.

🐠🌴Caribbean Fest, Bonifay Country Club | Visit the tropics at Bonifay with a special menu (5 - 9 PM) and live music TBD (5-8pm). Details

🍺World of Beer Country Night, Brownwood, Sat March 1 |  6 - 9 PM | Grab your boots 👢and hat 🤠 and dance the night away.  Jamesen will be live on stage from 6 pm to 9 pm with all your country favorites. 

🧑‍🌾Brownwood Farmers Market | Saturday March 1 | 9 AM - 1:45 PM | If you’re in need of produce, pickles, honey, or any other market items Saturday is your day!

📿Fat Tuesday Celebration: Evans Prairie Country Club, Tue March 4 | Starts at 11AM.  Live music TBD 5 - 8 PM.  Tons of drink and food specials

🎰Villagers For Veterans | Casino Night | Saturday March 8th | 6:30 - 9:30 PM | Old Mill Playhouse | A night of glitz, glamour, and good fortune at Casino Night: Las Vegas Style, presented by Villagers for Veterans!  Tickets

🐾Mardi Paw March | Lake Sumter Landing Square | March 3 | 3 - 4 PM | A Mardi Gras themed pet walk around the square benefiting Your Humane Society SPCA.  Must register. More info here.

🐴POLO Week 1 | Villages Polo Club | Fri Feb 28, 3 PM Start AND Sun Mar 2, 1 PM Start  | Live Music: Watkins Duo Fri 4:30 - 6PM More Info

🎸The Cardroom and Tiki Bar at Oxford Downs | Sat March 1 | 6 - 9 PM | Michael Vanderweerd performs from 6 - 9 PM, followed by DJ KC Webb for the Double Trouble Dance Party

Civil News & Updates

Closures and Updates

Saddlebrook Recreation Adult Pool Closed for furniture replacement on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

Eisenhower Recreation Sports Pool | Closed for pressure washing on Tuesday, March 5, 2025, from 7am-12pm.

Weather

Thursday

73 🌡️ 55| ☀️ | 0% | 🌬️ SW 5 - 10 mph

Friday

73 🌡️ 48 | ☀️ | 20% | 🌬️ N 5 mph

Saturday

73 🌡️ 51 | 🌤️ | 0% | 🌬️ Light

Sunday

71 🌡️ 47 | ☀️ | 0% | 🌬️ Light

Live Music Lowdown

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

If YOU have a favorite 🎸 live music restaurant/bar 🎹 not listed above, please shoot us an email, by replying to this email and we will look into adding it!

Thanks

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