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Margaritaville opens a little later
 Colorfully dressed fan rises to the occasion when Jimmy Buffett played Tweeter Center in Mansfield in 2005. (Staff photo by MARTIN GAVIN)
Top Headlines 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.
Post Your Comments SM wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:53 PM: " I hate to say this but I agree wiht the prior comments. Having the gates open at 3:30 is stupid and will cause huge traffic jams on Rte 1. The selectmen want their cake and eat it too. I have news for you all. The parrotheads may have a reputation, but my experience is that we're tamer, and safer than NFL fans, in general. Wake up and smell the fun! See you at noon! " FinzUp wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:34 PM: " Couldn't agree more with you, seems like they expect that they can use their policy/procedures for Patriot games and blindly apply them to the concert - they should consult the folks at Great Woods for a blueprint that has worked successfully for the past 15 years! " Pierre A. Tedd wrote on Mar 29, 2007 12:59 PM: " Going out of your way means not being an idiot expecting people to change decades of traditional tailgating for this event. This is like saying "we want the circus, but not the elephants".
These people are in for a rude awaking when the Parrotheads will show up to tailgate early anyway. Expect - EXPECT -total disregard for your hard-headed stupidity. " pville wrote on Mar 29, 2007 10:53 AM: " I hope Police Chief Edward O'Leary, has a plan for all the vehicles that will be lined up on Route 1 before noon. Just saying the gates won't open until 330 is fine, provided you can deal with the Public Safety issues that will arise. His experience @ Gillette and the experience of the Mansfield Police @ Great Woods, make these early arrivals something he should know will occur. So, when problems arise in September and they demonstate how unprepared they are, I will be curious to the their response. My expectations are low. " or
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