After spending my Saturday morning on the grounds of the stately Merion Country Club in Ardmore, I spent my Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park in 
South Philly.
The Phillies weren't there.
To the uninitiated -- which I certainly was until Saturday evening -- a Jimmy Buffett concert is more than just a music concert, it is really more like a festival. Except for the average age of the participants, this party reminded me quite a bit of the Fiji Island parties of my college days.
Scanning the parking lot/tailgate central, with Citizens Bank Park looming in the background, there were quite a few spectacles. Many grass skirts (on males and females), coconut bras (on males and females), drinks in coconuts with tiny umbrellas, SUV tailgates open with "Margaritaville" blaring from the speakers inside the vehicles.
But to the unadulterated Phillies fan, much of what could be observed was disconcerting...
...There were empty cups and bottles stacked on the foundation of the Mike Schmidt statue outside the stadium.
...Inside the stadium, the entire outfield grass and infield dirt was covered with some type of modular flooring to support seats and the stage. There was a girl hoola dancing where Chase Utley is normally at his post.
...In front of us was a middle-aged man wearing a lobster hat. Yes, that's right, he had a red felt lobster on his head. Seeing such a display of fashion-faux pas, The Missus could not resist herself and had to engage the individual in conversation. At one point he said, "as usual, the Phillies are so far out of it they are using their ballpark for a concert." At this point, The Missus informed him that the Phillies were leading the Wild Card race [I was so proud!]. The man looked utterly surprised and quickly changed the subject to something he knew much more about, Parrotheads.
...Ashburn Alley, the great monument of concessions and eateries to the Phillies centerfielder and long-time broadcaster was rendered useless as it was behind the stage.
At one point I had to ask, incredulously, what in the name of all that is pure and Whitey is going on here?! Don't you know this is a baseball field?! Serious business normally takes place here!
But rest assured, the traditions of Philadelphia sports fans was not completely lost on those of the capacity crowd...
...The part of the show that arguably received the most applause and approval from the crowd was when the Phillie Phanatic joined Jimmy Buffett onstage for "Cheeseburger in Paradise".
...During lulls or intermissions, chants of "E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!!!" would spontaneously erupt throughout the park.
...When a man dropped and accidentally smashed a Corona bottle in the parking lot, the sound of shattering glass was met with a chorus of boos from all within earshot.
Ah, Philly. The City of Brotherly Parrotheads.
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In all seriousness, seeing Jimmy Buffett in concert was a great experience. While I am in no danger of becoming a Parrothead, I left the show with a much greater appreciation for the mayor and citizens of Margaritaville.
