Paul Menta holding the “microphone” for Howard Livingstone, It’s 5pm in Key West Parade celebration for Jimmy Buffett. Photo: Rob O’Neal

Keep The Parade Going: A Key West Tribute To Jimmy Buffett

When Jimmy Buffett passed, Key West did what Key West does best. They threw a party parade to celebrate their Favorite Son.

It was 1:30am in the morning when Key West Legal Rum owner & distiller Paul Menta got a call he will never forget. The friend on the other end said simply, “Jimmy died.”

Just like that, life changed. Jimmy as every now knows was Jimmy Buffett.

And two hours, Paul and Jordan Upchurch has a plan.

Usual suspects: Paul Menta and Jordan Upchurch rounding up a parade in front of Margaritaville.

The next 36 hours in Key West is the stuff they make movies about. Movies with trop rock music, props and colorful costumes, and a cast of characters the likes the world has never seen.

Key West was about to put on a parade.

It’s 5 O’Clock In Key West parade original announcement via Key West Legal Rum Distillery Facebook page

It’s 5 O’Clock In Key West original event flyer

Paul Menta telling story of It’s 5pm in Key West parade on Backyards of Key West Podcast

Key West Pulls Off Largest Pop-Up Parade to Honor the Passing of Local Legend and Mega-Star Jimmy Buffett

“Thousands of Florida Keys residents and visitors gathered on Key West’s Duval Street late Sunday afternoon for a march honoring internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett” (photo: Rob O’Neal)

Fins up! (photo: Scott Freeman)

Bubbles up! (Photo: Key West Legal Rum)

Wasting away again in front of Margaritaville.

We’re keeping the Jimmy love going here in Key West!

CBS

VIDEO LINK: Jimmy Buffett honored with second-line parade in Key West Sunday- ‘Rest in paradise’

USA TODAY

Jimmy Buffett fans throw one last goodbye party, march at parade in his honor

LINK: Jimmy Buffett fans throw one last goodbye party, march at parade in his honor

PEOPLE

Jimmy Buffett Fans Throw Key West Parade in His Honor

VIDEO LINK: Jimmy Buffett Fans Throw Key West Parade in His Honor

WLRN

Residents, fans celebrate Jimmy Buffett in Key West, the original Margaritaville

LINK: Residents, fans celebrate Jimmy Buffett in Key West, the original Margaritaville (photo: Rob O’Neal)

WPLG

LINK: Key West holds parade to honor legendary singer Jimmy Buffett

Remembering Jimmy Buffett in Key West

Key West Citizen

Last call at Margaritaville: City mourns iconic singer-songwriter

Jimmy Buffett is to Key West what Bob Marley is to Jamaica, Sinead O’Connor is to Ireland, and Celia Cruz is to Cuba: Jimmy Buffett is Key West’s musical ambassador to the world. He is Key West’s favorite son.

Jimmy Buffett has left the building. But instead of going sad, Key West went full gonzo to celebrate the life well-lived of its favorite son Jimmy Buffett.

“I heard I was in town”, Jimmy Buffett famously wrote and sang about hearing about himself in Key West. And even now while setting off on whatever Pirate Adventure in the Sky awaits Key West’s best-known neighbor and ambassador, that Sunday at 5pm in Key West, indeed he was.

“I heard I was in town!” Fair winds and following seas, Jimmy Buffett. (photo: FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU)

Welcome to Key West Jimmy Buffett International Airport! (No plane on Sunday)