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Parrot head paradise beckons in Palm Harbor

The party for fans of all things Buffett will open with a ribbon cutting for downtown improvements.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published June 9, 2006

PALM HARBOR - Put on your flip-flops, watch out for pop-tops, and remember, whatever happens, it's your own darn fault.

This Saturday, Old Palm Harbor Main Street and the Tampa Bay Parrot Heads in Paradise Club will host the fifth annual Palm Harbor Parrot Head Party from 2 to 10 p.m. It follows a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. to mark recent improvements to the downtown historical district.

For the uninitiated, parrot heads are Jimmy Buffett fans who dig his music and tropical lifestyle. They can often be spotted wearing loud tropical shirts, leis, coconut bras, grass skirts or even plastic shark fins on their heads.

Organizers hope they will show up early for the grand opening ceremonies on Florida Avenue when several local and state dignitaries will speak.

Erick C. Johnson, the Colorado artist who created the two tall blue-green sculptures at Alt. U.S. 19 and Florida Avenue, will dedicate his work, the "Gateway Art Sculpture."

The abstract pieces, which cost $85,000, were a gift from the Pinellas County Arts Council's public art and design program. They have received mixed reviews from residents and business owners, some of whom questioned the appropriateness of modern design in a historic setting.

Others sought directly to capture the vintage flavor of the tiny downtown, once known as Sutherland.

The Rotary Club of Palm Harbor donated a retro-looking 14-foot black pedestal clock. It is numbered with Roman numerals and communicates with an atomic clock so the time will always be right, said Dr. Jim Adkins, who spearheaded the effort.

Eagle Scout candidate Aaron Joseph, 16, of East Lake Woodlands organized a crew of Scouts from Troop 475 to install traditional-looking metal street furniture: benches, bike racks and trash receptacles.

As part of a $3.1-million renovation for the historic downtown, Florida Avenue was revamped to provide new drainage and more parking. Historic brick accents have been added along with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks.

"This will be a really special Parrot Head party because it marks the completion of work that was started 12 years ago, and it's a stepping-off point for the next 12 years," said Lesley Klein, president of Old Palm Harbor Main Street.

Led by former Commissioner Sallie Parks, the County Commission created the Palm Harbor historic district in 1994. Eight "contributing historical structures" make up the core. Businesses, residents, organizations and county folks have been planning the historic renovation ever since.

Parks, who served on the commission from 1992 to 2000, considers it a 12-year labor of love.

"I've walked it (Florida Avenue) twice today looking at it with new eyes," she said Thursday. "It's quite handsome. This is a big milestone for the whole community of Palm Harbor, not just the downtown."

After the ceremony, the party gets started with tribute music, margaritas, and of course, cheeseburgers. Just don't lose your shaker of salt.

Area bartenders will compete in two competitions to see who can make the best margarita. A panel of legal-aged tasters will judge the first, the "Margarita Pouroff." The second, the "People's Choice," will be determined by sales of individual bartenders as well as observations by a secret panel.

Don't care for margaritas?

A drawing will be held for a boatload of Corona beer.

Food lovers can select from a slew of tropical tastes such as ahi tuna appetizers, coconut shrimp, stuffed shrimp, Cajun crawfish tails, jerk chicken and ribs, fruit salad, and Cuban sandwiches.

The live entertainment begins at 2 p.m. with the Stick Martin Show and Todd Thornburg on two stages. At 6 p.m., the Caribbean Chillers, a Jimmy Buffett tribute show, will play.

There will be a children's area with a 32-foot rock climbing wall, a bungee jump, inflatable bouncers, carnival-type games and face painting.

Dozens of arts and crafts vendors will offer island decor, apparel and jewelry.

No coolers are allowed, but the event is pet-friendly. Beach chairs and blankets are encouraged.

Attendance at previous parties has ranged from 10,000 to 12,000.

"For one night each year, our little town turns into Margaritaville," Klein said. "It's our piece of paradise and it's for everybody, not just those that live here."

IF YOU GO

What: The grand opening of Florida Avenue and the fifth annual Palm Harbor Parrot Head Party will be held Saturday on Florida Avenue in historic downtown Palm Harbor.

When: The grand opening ceremony begins at 1 p.m. The parrothead party is from 2 to 10 p.m.

Admission and parking: Free.

Information: Call (727) 787-4700 or visit the Web site: www.palmharbormainstreet.com.

[Last modified June 9, 2006, 07:05:40]