Key West Holds Buffett Tribute Weekend

KEY WEST, Fla. -- The unveiling of a Florida highway sign designating historic State Road A1A as the “A1A Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway,” and a ceremony declaring “Jimmy Buffett Day” on Friday, Aug. 30 kicked off a weekend of Key West festivities paying tribute to the island’s late “favorite son.” 

The highway sign bearing the internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter’s name was unveiled by his sister, Lucy Buffett, at the beginning of State Road A1A on Key West’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline. 

“When Jimmy landed in Key West, he found the inspiration that formed the niche of his creative output that catapulted him into the mainstream,” said Lucy Buffett. “Key West, and the lifestyle that he figured out he could live and contribute to society positively, he took with him for the rest of his life.” 

Jimmy Buffett, who passed away Sept. 1, 2023, called Key West home during some of his most productive years. The island’s influence is widely credited with inspiring many of his most enduring songs, including the classic hit “Margaritaville” -- and he called a pivotal early album “A1A.” 

Following the passage of a bill in the Florida House of Representatives and Senate, and its signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis, all segments of A1A from Key West to the Florida-Georgia line are now named the “A1A Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.” 

The Florida Department of Transportation is to install the new A1A signs at a future date.

The bill’s sponsors -- Senator Lauren Book, Rep. Chuck Clemons and Rep. Jim Mooney -- spoke at the ceremony alongside Lucy Buffett. 

The famed musician was also remembered during the Labor Day weekend with the four-day “Just a Few Friends Key West” celebration. 

Festivities kicked off Friday with Key West Mayor DeeDee Henriquez reading a proclamation that declared the day “Jimmy Buffett Day” in Key West. The Florida Legislature also previously designated Aug. 30 "Jimmy Buffett Day" throughout the state.

Community leaders and hundreds of Buffett fans gathered for the waterfront reading and welcome ceremony outside the singer-songwriter’s Shrimp Boat Sound recording studio in the Key West Historic Seaport.

“Jimmy Buffett means everything to our community and to the city of Key West. It’s always five o’clock somewhere,” said Henriquez, referencing the title of a Buffett hit with country singer Alan Jackson. 

The festival continued through Monday with activities including concerts by Buffett’s musical colleagues and tribute bands, beach parties and island tours, sailing excursions, a gathering with nonstop live music at a waterfront park, and the exuberant Second Line Memorial Walking Parade through Key West’s historic downtown.