The Brown Bag on the Square lunch in downtown Troy Thursday was “what community is all about.”

Shelia Jackson, Troy’s director of tourism and public relations, said Troy’s downtown square at noon on Thursday was a visual definition of “community.”

“I’ve never felt such a strong sense of community before,” Jackson said. “I don’t really know to explain it but I just know that’s what community is all about.”

The Brown Bag lunch attracted an estimated gathering of 250 and of all ages.

Jackson said it was probably the largest crowd ever for a Brown Bag event.

“We’ve always had good crowds for Brown Bag, but the last two have just been amazing,” she said. “It seems like everyone is enjoying being together and enjoying life.”

Jackson said there’s no better lunch break than time spent outdoors with friends and neighbors and listening to good music.

“Brown Bag is the whole package,” she said. “And, that’s why more people are opening up to the idea of lunch on the square.”

The Brown Bag Concert Series is weather dependant, so the events are held in early summer and the fall.

“We are planning Brown Bag concerts in July and August, if the weather doesn’t get too hot,” Jackson said. “And, we’re tossing around the idea of having a patriotic Brown Bag lunch the week of the Fourth of July. What a great time that would be for us to all come together to celebrate our country’s independence with patriotic music and hotdogs.”

Jackson had special thanks for the sponsors of Thursday’s Brown Bag lunch, Momma Goldberg’s, Green Hills Funeral Home, Mayor Jason Reeves, Rep. Alan Boothe and Steve Flowers.