How to Accessorize for a Jimmy Buffett Concert

Attending a Jimmy Buffett concert is not JUST about listening to his music, it's a lifestyle. If you're a fledgling and want to fly with the parrotheads, here are a few pointers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• summer clothing, especially tropical-looking
• cheeseburger fixin's
• shrimp fixin's
• margarita fixin's
• displayable parrot or shark paraphernalia

1. 
   Hawaii? Just fine, thank you.

   When in Margaritaville, dress as a Margaritavillager; i.e.: anything summery like straw hats, shorts, sandals and colorful Hawaiian shirts. Grass skirts and coconut bras are preferred attire as well - on women AND some men.

2. 
   Two parrotheads and the shark that swims on the land.

   The proper parrothead plans sustenance around native dishes mentioned in Jimmy Buffett songs; i.e.: cheeseburgers (in Paradise), margaritas (for "wasting away in Margaritaville") and shrimp "they're beginning to boil - bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble...") At one concert, Buffett did announce "That ain't shrimp I'm smelling" about a rather large and pungent smoke cloud that lingered above the crowd.
   Some ambitious parrotheads set up their own tiki bars in the parking lot - complete with a clock stopped at 5:00 (since "It's always 5:00 Somewhere.")

3. 
   Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band.

   Then there are the traditional icons. Sharks (for "Fins") can be inflatable or stuffed toys or represented by a large dorsal fin on your car roof.
   Parrot hatwear and toy parrots are fashionable in Margaritaville. Why parrots? One time Coral Reefer Timothy B. Schmit (later with the Eagles) surveyed the Hawaiian shirted and otherwise colorfully clad
   crowd. Many of these fans follow Buffett around - a la Grateful Dead. Coining a term, Schmit told his bandmates to scope out all the "parrotheads"!
   For you cheeseburger heads, there are even cheeseburger hats!

Tips & Warnings

• Arrive at a Jimmy Buffett concert at least a couple hours early to soak up the carnival-like atmosphere.
• See more by this writer on examiner.com boston under PETS and in Mariner Publications "Pet Gazette".
• Exercise all safety precautions if grilling in the parking lot.
• The concert is not a good place for live parrots - with heavy traffic, crowds and the overly imbibed posing potential threats - plus you can't take them INTO the concert venue. Leave Polly home and bring a stuffed toy.
• Be prepared to sit and wait when trying to exit the parking lot at concert end.
• Drink responsibly, especially if driving; and be aware that some around you may not be doing so.

[housejunkie]

on 11/22/2009 LOL! I love it!