A1A is now officially Jimmy Buffett Memorial Hwy.; Thousands of his fans will again gather in Gulf Shores Oct. 23-27
A1A is now officially Jimmy Buffett Memorial Hwy.; Thousands of his fans will again gather in Gulf Shores Oct. 23-27
City and state officials joined Jimmy Buffett’s family, including his (pictured) sister and local restaurateur Lucy Buffett, in Key West on Aug. 30 to officially change the name of Hwy. A1A to Jimmy Buffett Memorial Hwy. The ceremony was part of Jimmy Buffett Day in Florida. A1A hugs the Atlantic Ocean in Florida from Fernandina Beach down to Key West, and is also the title of Buffett’s fifth studio album.
“When Jimmy was 25, his life forever changed as he drove down the A1A for the first time and found a home in Key West,” said Lucy Buffett at the dedication. “He would be humbled, yet sheepishly thrilled, in his “school-boy heart” way that the Florida Legislature unanimously honored his legacy.’’
This year the Hangout will again be the host site for the annual Meeting of the Minds, a celebration of trop rock musicians and songwriters, that will attract more than 3,000 Parrot Heads to Pleasure Island from Oct. 22-27. Registration is open to any member of a sanctioned Parrot Head Club. (For more MOTM info, visit motm.rocks.)
Previously held in New Orleans and then for 22 years in Key West, the event was relocated to Gulf Shores to continue the event that was inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s fans. The event will be highlighted with performances by Jimmy’s band the Coral Reefers, led by 10 time grammy artist, Mac McAnally. Saturday nights performances will include Mac McAnally with a solo performance and a popular traveling musical group , Yachtley Crew, a musical show that has traveled internationally bringing to life the sounds of the 70’’s to the present day.
Most of the MOTM concerts will be held in the courtyard at The Hangout in Gulf Shores. But there are also daily shows scheduled at LuLu’s , Azul, and Picnic Beach all within walking distance from the HangOut facility.
MOTM highlights include the Welcome to the Island Party on Oct. 22 which will kick off the week at LuLu’s. At the Hangout, a Buffett Tribute concert, Trop Rock Music Award presentations, and a special performance by the Gulf Shores High School “Waves of Steel” band will be held on opening night, Oct. 23, which is open to the public.
LuLu’s will also host daily shows with Brent Burns hosting his Trop Rock pals and on Saturday October 26st a Second Line tribute to her brother Jimmy.
All activities at the HangOut on Thursday October 24th through October 26st, will be closed to only credentialed attendees. Passes for this event may be obtained by registering and paying at the on-site registration tents, outside the HangOut facility.
During the week various other charity events will be ongoing to support the Gulf Shores and local area, These include the mini-golf tournament, Bras Across the Causeway, Skippin’ & Sippin’ 5K Fun Run at Lulu’s, Blood Mobile donations and on property live and silent auctions.