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2008.05.04

2008.05

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2008.05.06

A Gathering of Parrotheads

2008.05.05

This parrothead portrait may fall into the category of "TMI"

Female entry in same category

Parrothead couples

The Fairgrounds grandstand and a political symbol

Roof of the Acura stage where The Dixie Cups, The Subdudes and Jimmy Buffett played

Coolin' it

Recapturetheglory, who makes his home at the Fairgrounds Racetrack, was entered in the Kentucky Derby, which we watched between shows on the big screen. Despite throwing his rider on the way to the starting gate, and the 47-1 odds against him, the horse ran a strong race, leading after about a mile before fading to a fifth place finish.

This nice couple allowed their picture to be taken...lol

The great man takes the stage. The crowd tried for most of the afternoon to keep a beach ball or two aloft and finally succeeded long enough for me to take this shot.

Here's Jimmy and twelve members of the Coral Reefer Band.

I think one can be a Hula Girl and Parrothead at the same time.

Dressed for the crowd and weather

One of several banners flown over the venue

Jimmy called this his "polygamist" dress. The song - "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw?"

The Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi came to party.

The young vocalist on the right was discovered by Buffett on the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa. We wondered if he was showing good judgment putting a younger, more talented vocalist with a real island accent in the band.

A new angle on parrotheads

Hands of Louisiana's slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, who sat in with the Coral Reefers for much of the show.

Our friend from Baton Rouge was there with his 15-year-old son. Our similarly aged daughter wouldn't get caught dead within two miles of the event, though she went to a smaller, similar event with us in Baton Rouge the next day.

I'm proud of my latest stitched-together panoramic shot. Can you find the seam?

Videographer gave us and those even further from the stage a good view of the action on the big screen

This grass-skirted woman in a Margaritaville T-shirt (Jimmy's bar in the French Quarter) had a great time all day.

This pink flamingo flag would be at home in Baton Rouge.

Two beach balls in the air at once

Parrotheads won't go home without doing "Fins to the left! Fins to the right!"

Jimmy and New Orleans' legendary pianist Allen Touissant combined for a surprise encore on "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" Jimmy traded his flip flops to a fan for the T-shirt that reads "Rebuilding New Orleans One Margarita At a Time".

Touissant on the big screen

Seen at Acme Oyster House in neighboring Metairie, another party with a similar itinerary. There's one or two shots missing of the hourlong wait at the fairgrounds after the show for the shuttle bus to take us back to the parking lot. The Buffett show ended at 7:20. We finally ate dinner about five miles away after 10 p.m.

Can't you feel 'em circlin' honey?
Can't you feel 'em swimmin' around?
You got fins to the left, fins to the right,
and you're the only bait in town.
You got fins to the left, fins to the right,
and you're the only girl in town.

Fins, Jimmy Buffett

The primary attraction at the Jazz Fest Acura Stage was the 5:30 p.m. performance of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. More now than just a musician, Jimmy is a lifestyle coordinator for his legion of fans known as "Parrotheads," some of which you met in yesterday's post from the festival.