"Jimmy Buffet" Day in PA

Zuke · Post by **Zuke** » June 26, 2005 12:03 pm

This was posted in the news section, but who the heck is Jimmy Buffet? Must be a good day to go to the buffet in PA??

Sunday Morning: Buffet has a friend in Pennsylvania
Sunday, June 26, 2005

By Dave Budinger, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

You may have missed this. It didn't get a whole lot of ink.

Budinger
Did you know that today is Jimmy Buffet Day in Pennsylvania?

Yep. This permanent denizen of "Margaritaville" and champion of a Caribbean-flavored, laid-back, boozy lifestyle, who has loyal fans called Parrot Heads following him to concert venues around the country, who strums his six-string to the ringing rhythms of steel drums and wears Hawaiian shirts on stage, is now a favorite son of the Keystone State.

The state House approved legislation Tuesday, designating today as Jimmy Buffet Day. It's also, coincidentally, the day of Buffet's sold-out concert at PNC Park. The Pirates aren't playing, but the Parrot Heads will be there.

Rep. Tim Solobay, a Washington County Democrat, sponsored the Jimmy Buffett Day bill. Frankly, he said, he was a tad surprised it went through.

"It took a couple weeks longer than these things usually take," he said. "There were some of the more conservative representatives that were miffed by the fact we were going to name a certain day in Pennsylvania for someone who sings about drinking and having sex."

Solobay admits he's not a Buffett fan and not that familiar with the somewhat raucous concerts the tropics-minded musician often generates. "I'm more of a country-western person."

He submitted the legislation at the request of a constituent who is an active Parrot Head.

"We do a lot of unique things in state government ... when we probably should focus on other issues," Solobay said. "But what the heck. We do [these] all the time. We'd do a resolution if someone just scratched their ear!"

Actually, it turns out Buffett can be credited with some serious civic-minded enterprises, mostly through Parrot Heads in Paradise Inc., which has 200 clubs and 23,500 members worldwide.

In Pennsylvania, the legislator points out, there are 12 Parrot Head Clubs with more than 1,500 members. Last year, they logged more than 14,000 hours of volunteer work and raised $264,000 for such organizations as the Alzheimer's Association, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Service Society, Ronald McDonald House, Wings for Children and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Buffett, who normally sells out the Post-Gazette Pavilion for his annual summer concerts here, set a record when the 42,000 tickets for today's concert at PNC Park sold out within 60 minutes. That was in March.

Solobay must have been one of the lucky ones. He has tickets, and plans to be at the concert. In fact, he was working on arrangements last week with Buffett's people for some kind of Jimmy Buffet Day proclamation presentation.

I wonder if he knows he might have to fight his way through flocks of dancing Parrot Heads wearing grass skirts, funny hats and clam-shell bras to reach the grand Parrot Head himself.

Good luck, Tim.

habourgirl · Post by **habourgirl** » June 26, 2005 12:07 pm

I think it's hysterical that his spelling is not consistent throughout... A few times with one t... A few with 2... Don't people proofread anymore????

P.S. 2 months and 1 day till Philly Zuke!

Zuke · Post by **Zuke** » June 26, 2005 12:09 pm

Can't wait!! Did you get a ticket yet?

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » June 26, 2005 12:18 pm

"this took a little longer than usual"?

Does this mean they have been working on this since like 1988???

habourgirl · Post by **habourgirl** » June 26, 2005 12:26 pm

Zuke wrote:Can't wait!! Did you get a ticket yet?

Not yet... I'm sure I'll find one no problem... When I get back from Florida I'm gonna start looking....