With more Hawaiian shirts and margaritas than a tropical resort, and fresh cheeseburgers grilled in paradise, the first annual Jimmy Buffett Fest welcomed local Gainesville bands and artists to Heartwood Soundstage Aug. 31.
The event took place the eve of the late singer's death anniversary. Although the weather was windy and overcast, 69-year-old Lynn Ellison noted the attendees’ sunny spirits as she worked the ticket booth at Heartwood.
“They come in dressed up,” she said. “JJust a really good crowd.”
Wearing sailor hats or Hawaiian shirts with Buffett’s face, these parrotheads, as Buffett’s fans are called, showed their admiration for the songwriter through fashion statements.
With lawn chairs scattered across Heartwood’s outdoor field, the audience relaxed to watch a 10-set, four-hour performance.
Noah Moses took the stage with his band, Noah Moses and the Flood, as the second set of the event. The 29-year-old lead singer said part of what makes fans so dedicated is the connection they feel with Buffett.
Although previously familiar with Buffett's legacy, Moses said the festival helped him develop a deeper appreciation for Buffett’s thoughtful songwriting.
“He writes like an everyday guy,” Moses said. “He's not writing from this house-on-a-hill perspective. He just sounds like he's a normal nine-to-five guy who's writing songs from that perspective.”
Jared Hart, Jimmy Buffett Fest’s producer, said Buffett didn’t just have a laid-back approach to music. He had a laid-back approach to life.
“It felt like Jimmy kinda hacked life,” Hart said. “He was able to wear flip-flops and a bathing suit and still make a ton of money and give away a lot of money.”
One of the causes Buffett supported was the “Save the Manatee” charity, which he founded with former Florida Gov. Bob Graham. The foundation is behind the popular Florida license plates with the same slogan, depicting a manatee floating under the surface of the water. Proceeds from the festival went to the foundation and to Heartwood Soundstage.
Patrick Rose, the 74-year-old executive director of the Save the Manatee Club, emphasized the importance of Buffett’s legacy to the preservation of the threatened species. He knew Buffett personally.
“He was very instrumental in actually helping to save manatees,” Rose said. “He was just a good friend of mine over all those years.”
Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward also attended Jimmy Buffett Fest, saying how important it is to protect Florida’s wildlife and the unique ecosystems found in Gainesville, including Alachua County’s natural springs. Whether they came as a fan of the manatees or a fan of Buffett, Gainesville residents showed their support for the cause in a big way.
The festival’s organizers plan to make the Jimmy Buffett Fest an annual tradition every Labor Day weekend, according to the event producer, Jared Hart. Plans for next year’s fest are already in the works, he said.
Contact Christopher Rodriguez at crodriguez@alligator.org. Follow him on X @ChrisRodri29386
