Barbary Coaster’s annual Parrothead Concert celebrates its 30th anniversary May 1

The Far North’s favourite annual tropical concert returns to 2022 celebrating the 30th anniversary of their free and fundraiser event

The Far North’s favourite annual tropical concert returns on Sunday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the free fundraising event

Barbary Coasters member Vance Fahey the group’s annual Parrothead Concert would be bigger and better this year as it would incorporate a celebration of three decades of live music.

The event will be held at the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron on May 1 and will be rocking from 2pm to 6pm full of music, food trucks, raffles and a best dressed competition.

“The concert’s full of people with Hawaiian shirts to the power of 10,” Mr Fahey said.

The Barbary Coasters Band Vance Fahey, Nikki Lowmass and Brian Pitcher will be raising money for local charity Sailability at the concert. Picture: Brendan Radke

“If you came in with just a Hawaiian shirt and a plastic lei you would be underdressed.”

Once again, entry to the event will be free with money raised to be donated to Sailability Australia.

“It’s an organisation that supports disadvantaged and disabled people to get out on the water and go sailing with professional instructors,” Mr Fahey said.

The Far North has embraced the annual event over the past 30 years as a means to celebrate a tropical lifestyle with music that complements the surroundings.

It's 30 years since original band members Nikki Lowmass and Vance Fahey, pictured with drummer Brian Pitcher, first played their Jimmy Buffet tribute show, which has grown into the annual Parrothead Party. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We’re the only entertainers that I know of in Cairns who have continuously pushed these type of shows,” Mr Fahey said.

“Thirty years ago, in 1992 we also released our first ever commercial CD in Cairns.”

With no plans of stopping soon, Mr Fahey said the Barbary Coasters have gotten pretty good at what they do.

“What would we do that could be better than this?” he said.

Originally published as Barbary Coaster’s annual Parrothead Concert celebrates its 30th anniversary May 1