FInal Show A True Parrothead’s Paradise In Margaritaville
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Parrothead
The fins were up, the feathers were out, the tiki bars were there and Parrotheads from all over Southern California could sing “We’re Sill Here” even though the venue is no longer a day-long escape to Margaritaville.
So the Parrotheads flocked to the last Jimmy Buffett show at Irvine Meadows in Southern California on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, including PubCllub.com’s final party bus to what has been one of the best tailgate parking lot party scenes on tour.
As usual, there were pop-up tiki bars all over the place, “Fin Spins” where girls were asked to spin a wheel to perform a task (usually showing some skin) in order to get handed a drink or a shot, photo opportunities with sharks and photo frame cutouts and a general true party atmosphere.
The parking lot did not open until 4 but it was “5 O’Clock Somewhere,” namely here. It took the Parrotheads just moments to set up tiki bars among the rows of motorhomes. Initially, just one row was really rocking but after the sun went down several rows were jumping and this carried on until Buffett took the stage at about 8 o’clock.
One of the signs going into the parking lot read “No Sand,” and at what other concert would you see a “No Sand” sign? So it was funny when the biggest party spot of them all – between two motorhomes that included a tiki torch with a fake fire coming out of it – had sand for a makeshift beach.
And hey, if they are tearing down the place, why have any “No” signs up in the first place? They should have allowed pretty much anything a Parrothead could imagine to bring; they would probably be doing the place a favor.
There were also signs on light poles proclaiming “CONSUMPTION OF AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE IN THE PARKING LOT IS PROHIBITED.” Oh well, next time, right?!
The “Fruitcakes” were having more boat drinks and everyone was in a great mood – one could not count the smiles – as tropical-dressed people roamed up and down the rows and partied with other fun and friendly people. Margarativlle, indeed! Even the notoriously stern Irvine police let their guard down a bit, allowing girls to put leis on them as they sat on their motorcycles.
Jimmy Buffett’s Final Irvine Meadows Concert Parking Lot Photos
Let the pictures tell the story, right!?
Jimmy On Stage & Irvine Thanks For The Memories
On stage,it was clear that Buffett was enjoying himself. He was laughing, smiling and jumping around; he was probably having at least as much fun as the Parrotheads in the audience.
Irvine Meadows, too, will clearly miss Buffett. It put up a big “Thanks For The Memories” sign behind Jimmy on stage, there was a huge banner for people to sign when they entered the venue and people – employees – were walking around asking people to sign a petition to “Save The Music.”
On for this night, the 33rd and final Buffett show here, the music was saved and savored by all those who were there to be a part of it.
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