One of the largest crowds in a while gathered for Brown Bag on the Square in Troy at noon on Thursday.

Shelia Jackson, Troy tourism director, laughingly said she didn’t know whether it was the sunny weather that brought people out or the homemade ice cream.

“Although it was a rather warm day, it was very pleasant under the trees and a great day for a picnic with friends and neighbors,” Jackson said. “The entertainment was outstanding. Kane Meredith and Will Crenshaw are students at Troy University and it was good to have young men who are involved in the entertainment industry perform for us. Having them was a real treat.”

The SheBANG! Cloggers also performed.

“Anytime the cloggers take the stage, people stop to watch,” Jackson said. “The SheBANG! Cloggers are an amazing group of young dancers and we always enjoy having them.”

The Brown Bag events are held annually in the spring and fall in an effort to bring people to the downtown area and to provide opportunities for shared fun and fellowship.

“We want to provide a time and place for people to come together in a relaxed atmosphere to be entertained and enjoy being together,” Jackson said. “And, sure, we want to promote our downtown area because downtown Troy has a lot to offer. The Brown Bag events are one way to let people know about the shopping and service opportunities in our downtown area.”

Earl Ellis, owner of Landmark Realty, said the Brown Bag lunches are a slice of Americana.

“This is what small town America is all about,” Ellis said of the Brown Bag event. “This is what the South is all about. We need to promote and support our downtown areas. For these areas to continue to survive, people are going to have to get back to their roots and to family traditions. We have to take pride in where we come from and in our downtown areas that are the roots of our communities.”

The final Brown Bag event of the spring season will be Thursday, June 21 and Lenny Trawick and Friends will be the featured entertainment.

“Everyone is encouraged to make plans to join the fun and fellowship of Brown Bag on the Square next Thursday,” Jackson said. “Pack a lunch or grab a brown bag lunch from your favorite eatery and be a part of a community tradition.”