By JESSA PEAS / Staff Writer

PELHAM— The patio of Margarita Grill in Pelham was packed with Parrot Heads and the tunes of Jimmy Buffett April 19 as Buffett fans anxiously awaited his concert at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre.

Clad in crazy hats, funny sunglasses, temporary tattoos, wild tropical attire and silly flip-flops, the Magic City Parrot Head club members were “partying for a purpose” at Margarita Grill, fundraising for the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“We’re grateful for what they are doing,” said Chris Thomason, senior director of development at the center. “We rely very heavily on donations for novel projects and supporting young investigative research and bridge funds.”

Thomason said 100 percent of the donations go to support research at UAB, and for every $1 donated the cancer society matches it with $15.

The Magic City Parrot Head Club is the oldest official Buffett fan club in the Birmingham area, according to club president Kay Moore. She said the club leads several fundraising activities a year for various organizations.

“Our goal is to leave the community a little better than we found it,” she said at the party April 19. “We’re just a big family.”

The organization hosted a silent auction, which featured about 50 Land Shark, Lucy Buffett or Margaritaville-themed items. Moore said 100 percent of the funds raised were donated to the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Some of the other activities included a teacup and 50/50 raffle. The teacup raffle allowed guests to purchase raffle tickets to enter into drawings for specific items, and the winner of the 50/50 raffle split the cash pool with the Magic City Parrot Head Club.

Moore said they will use the money to support other community projects in the area, such as Toys for Tots.

“We want to give back to the community,” Moore said. “Even though the Buffett fans are known as party people, we have another image we want to personify as giving back to the community.”

The Magic City Parrot Head Club meets every fourth Sunday at 4 p.m. at Margarita Grill in Pelham.

For more information about Magic City Parrot Head Club, visit Mcphc.org. For more information about the national Parrot Head club, Parrot Heads in Paradise, visit Phip.com.