Fenway becomes an island paradise

Margaritaville arrived at Fenway Park yesterday. Parrotheads and Hawaiian shirts replaced Red Sox caps and jerseys.

Fans came from across New England and as far as Maryland to hear Jimmy Buffett. And they arrived in full Parrothead garb: grass skirts, flip-flops, colorful T-shirts, and coconut bras.

''It's the kind of people here where you can wear a coconut bra and understand what kind of frame of mind you're in," said Adam Sher, 22, of Cheshire, Conn., who wore a stuffed parrot hat. Sher said he is secure in his manhood, and the camaraderie of other Parrotheads made him comfortable in his island bustier.

Elvis Presley even made an appearance. Coordinating costumes with Buffett lyrics, Lou and Cristina Bettencourt dressed as Elvis and the gypsy Carmen.

At a previous Buffett show, Cristina Bettencourt wore a different costume -- a cheeseburger bra made out of a bikini top with dog chew-toy cheeseburgers attached. That get-up, she said, landed her onstage with Buffett for a dance to ''Why Don't We Get Drunk." After that, she said she had to retire the burger bra.

The props don't stop with chew toys. Buffett fans go all out. Fans say parking lots are usually transformed into islands, complete with swimming pools, inflatable palm trees, beachballs, sand, and plenty of margaritas.

But not at Fenway.

That's one thing Parrotheads longed for yesterday -- the preconcert tailgating.

''I'm actually disappointed with the venue," said Nancy Creed, 37, of Holyoke, who said tailgating is the foundation of the Parrothead brethren. ''It's the tailgating. You see people, you meet people. [Buffett's] all about that. You don't get the same feeling here."

City and police officials announced security plans earlier in the week, which prohibited tailgating and parking around Fenway. Boston police are deploying 100 officers to the area to assist the flow of traffic and provide security.

Some fans tried to take matters into their own hands.

Gary Garvey and some friends attempted to tailgate in the parking lot of the Burger King on Boylston Street near Fenway Park, but the party ended quickly.

The police arrived and broke up the gathering and used the line, ''There's no party here," said Garvey, 46. He said for a fleeting moment he felt like he was in high school again.

''I think it's going to be a little bit of a bummer. There's no big party, but it'll be a good time," he said. Garvey last saw Buffett in 1976 when he was the opening act for the Eagles in Springfield.

At 7 p.m. yesterday, no Parrotheads had been arrested.

Buffett-inspired no-parking signs were in place to remind drivers of the restrictions. The Boston Transportation Department was on hand to tow any violators.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who is attending tomorrow's concert, said he hopes Parrotheads and neighbors enjoy the weekend.

''I like his music. I know him personally," Menino said, who has visited Buffett in his Key West home. ''It's great to have him perform in Boston. I think we put enough restrictions in to make sure the neighborhood is not invaded by Parrotheads."

Menino says he'll wear a Tommy Bahama shirt (an upscale island-attire label) and slacks to the concert and is looking forward to hearing his favorite song -- ''Margaritaville." The mayor does not drink, but enjoys the easygoing atmosphere the song suggests.

Heather Allen can be reached at hallen@globe.com.