Last modified: Thursday, March 29, 2007 1:30 AM EDT Colorfully dressed fan rises to the occasion when Jimmy Buffett played Tweeter Center in Mansfield in 2005. (Staff photo by MARTIN GAVIN) Margaritaville opens a little later BY MICHAEL GELBWASSER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF Jimmy Buffett fans expecting to tailgate to his Gillette Stadium debut concerts in the morning won't be welcome in Margaritaville. The Gillette parking lots won't open until 3:30 p.m., four hours before showtime, selectmen said Tuesday night. Selectmen voted to license the two sold-out shows, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, and Saturday, Sept. 8. Selectmen voted after discussing the parking issues with Police Chief Edward O'Leary, stadium official Dan Murphy and Stadium Advisory Committee Chairman George Bell II. "I think we've gone out of our way," Selectmen Vice Chairman James Thrasher said. "The public understands we're not licensing the lots to open until 3:30 p.m." Bell said the parking lots might need to open early because "this is a crowd that arrives really early, potentially early morning." O'Leary said he and stadium management have discussed the new parking plans that account for the adjacent Patriot Place construction zone. "I feel comfortable we'll be able to get all of the cars safely parked and allow Route 1 to flow freely," O'Leary said. Murphy said the venue's parking plans include a multi-layered contingency. Senior managers from the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts have been paid consultants to stadium officials about parking, alcohol and other issues, Murphy said. "They have been and continue to be helpful to us," he said. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band has played at the Tweeter Center, in Mansfield, repeatedly over the years, most recently in 2005. He played at Fenway Park in Boston last year. Buffett's fans are known as Parrotheads. His signature tune is "Margaritaville," a number which inspires fans to dress in colorful, tropical outfits. Selectmen also licensed the New England Revolution's 2007 home schedule. The slate includes 15 matches. The home opener is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14, against Toronto FC.