Parrothead Party lights up Yorkey’s Knob Boating Club after four year hiatus

Hundreds of Jimmy Buffett fans lit up a Cairns boating club for a cause close to the heart of local band members. See the pictures.

The Barbary Coasters have performed their popular Parrothead Party, playing the tropical rock music of the late Jimmy Buffett to hundreds of fans at the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club. Nikki Lowmass, Vance Fahey and Brian Pitcher performed to over 200 Jimmy Buffett fans. Picture: Brendan Radke

More than 200 ‘parrotheads’ lit up a Cairns boating club at the weekend, dancing to the best of Jimmy Buffett for a good cause.

The Barbary Coasters, led by Cairns couple Nikki Lowmass and Vance Fahey, enlivened the Yorkey’s Knob Boating Club on Sunday with the return of their famed Parrothead Party.

Jimmy Buffett fans, also known as parrotheads, dressed in their best tropical wear and sunk margaritas in celebration of the American singer-songwriter.

“We’ve been travelling this show since 1992 and we’ve just returned it back to Yorkey’s Knob after being away for the last four years,” Mr Fahey said.

“Buffett’s got a huge fan base all around the world. He unfortunately died in 2023, but ever since then there’s been a movement of people trying to keep the Jimmy Buffett lifestyle alive.”

The Barbary Coasters have performed their popular Parrothead Party, playing the tropical rock music of the late Jimmy Buffett to hundreds of fans at the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club. Vance Fahey and Nikki Lowmass were joined by Brian Pitcher on bongo drums for the free concert, which was attended by over 200 Jimmy Buffett fans. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Fahey said the ‘parrotheads’ around Yorkey’s Knob were some of their most passionate fans.

“They love getting dressed up, following the tropical and parrot theme and drinking margaritas,” Mr Fahey said.

“The show has really taken on a life of its own.”

A portion of merchandise sales from the Parrotparty were donated to the Cairns Hospital Foundation, a cause close to the heart of Mr Fahey and Ms Lowmass.

“A couple of years back I had a big fall off a second story balcony and smashed my finger that I use to play guitar,” he said.

“And Nikki (Lowmass) had quite a life-threatening run-in with sepsis.

“But in both of those cases the Cairns Hospital pulled us through, and that just brought the work of the hospital home to us a lot more.”

The Barbary Coasters have performed their popular Parrothead Party, playing the tropical rock music of the late Jimmy Buffett to hundreds of fans at the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club. Nikki Lowmass, Vance Fahey and Brian Pitcher performed to over 200 Jimmy Buffett fans. Picture: Brendan Radke

Despite playing the Jimmy Buffett-inspired show for 33 years Mr Fahey said they don’t plan to give it up anytime soon.

“Virtually every time we do this show it’s pretty much sold out. The fans always turn up and have a great time and it’s a lot of fun for us too,” Mr Fahey said

Originally published as Parrothead Party lights up Yorkey’s Knob Boating Club after four year hiatus