Parrot Head Party Invades Palm Harbor Saturday

Are you ready to party, Palm Harbor? 

It's time to pull your most colorful tropical shirt out of the closet and put on your parrot head hat for the annual Parrot Head Party this Saturday. The free celebration is in its 12th year and attracts more than 20,000 people to historic downtown Palm Harbor, some of whom travel from other parts of the country.

Organizers say this year's tropical-themed celebration has something for everyone.

"It's going to be bigger and better," said Debbie Thomas, executive director of Old Palm Harbor Main Street, which sponsors the event.

Thomas says this year's celebration will feature a lot more vendors, with the count at 60 as of Wednesday afternoon. They'll be selling a wide variety of crafts and art. 

Artist Greg Andrews will be among the vendors. He designed this year's poster (see photo) and T-shirt, both of which will be available for purchase; $12 for a T-shirt and $5 for a poster. Andrews will sign the posters for $1 each.

The party will also feature more entertainment than in previous years. Two bands will entertain from the main stage and a dance troupe will also perform.

A special Kids Zone will feature lots of fun activities for the kids, including crafts. 

Thomas said the these activities were added to the Parrot Head Party because organizers wanted to make sure there would be something for kids. Old Palm Harbor Main Street also sponsors the monthly First Friday celebration, which attracts a lot of families.

"With the food truck rally, there's a lot of kids. We want to make events more family friendly," she said.

A bungee trampoline, the WQYK Pirate Ship, airbrush painting and a rock climbing wall will also be set up at the party.

If you are really into the Jimmy Buffet scene, you might want to enter the contests. Prizes will be awarded in three contests; the Jimmy Buffet Look-Alike Contest, the Best Island Dress Contest and the Best Parrot Head Contest.

Proceeds from the Parrot Head Party benefit Old Palm Harbor Main Street (OPHMS), which is a non-profit whose goal is to preserve and enhance the quality of life and business in Palm Harbor. OPHMS also helps maintain the historic Reba Sutton White Chapel, Harbor Hall and the Palm Harbor Historic District.

What to Know if You Go: Parrot Head Party

• When: Saturday, June 1
• Time: 2 to 10 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Palm Harbor Historic District (Florida Avenue and Alt. 19)
• Cost: Free

Entertainment Lineup

• 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.- Trop Rock Junkies
• 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.- Shazadi Jewels of the Desert Dance Troupe (belly dancing)
• 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.- Carribean Chillers, Jimmy Buffet tribute band

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