Jimmy Buffett doesn’t take the stage until Saturday night, but early Friday morning the RV’s were already lining up to get into Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas… one of the best places in the country for tailgating.

WFAA has a report from the scene:

Jimmy Buffett’s latest restaurant opens today in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Inspired by the great “beach joints” that once dotted the Atlantic coast, LandShark Bar & Grill is the perfect blend of ocean breezes, boardwalk action, spectacular views, great food, generous drinks, your favorite beach tunes and good old fashion fun. The LandShark Surfshack (which opened earlier this week) offers an array of merchandise themed around the popular beer brand, LandShark Lager, as well as a selection of Sky Wheel souvenirs. LandShark’s laid back atmosphere, casual dining, bar and entertainment will soon be a favorite with both tourists and the Grand Strand’s local residents.

“We love Myrtle Beach and are thrilled to bring our new concept LandShark Bar and Grill to this exciting project,” said Tamara Baldanza, Director of Marketing for Margaritaville Hospitality Group. “The beach location will be the perfect spot to take a ride on the new SkyWheel, grab a bite to eat, listen to some music and hang out for a while.”

The restaurant opens after a ribbon cutting at 10 am.

While the Landshark Bar & Grill won’t open until Friday, the Landshark Surfshack retail shop has opened its doors in Myrtle Beach:

The LandShark Surfshack, part of the $12 million trio of attractions coming to Myrtle Beach that includes the SkyWheel and Jimmy Buffett’s LandShark Bar & Grill, opened late Tuesday, said Julie Foshage, the SkyWheel’s marketing director.

The store sells merchandise for the SkyWheel and items themed around the LandShark Lager beer brand.

The store will be open until 10 p.m. today, then open at 10 a.m. Thursday. It will close early Thursday for a 7 p.m. VIP event.

The Landshark Bar & Grill restaurant will open on Friday, after a 10 am ribbon-cutting ceremony. Also opening that day is the SkyWheel attraction.

Jiffy Lube Live (formerly Nissan Pavilion) appears to be serious about no tailgating this year:

Spokespeople for Jiffy Lube and its owner Live Nation didn’t return phones and emails late this week. But Prince William County police confirm that the Bristow concert venue is cracking down on partying in the parking lot. No pop-up tents, no portable grills and absolutely no alcohol.

There has always been a rule against drinking in the parking lot. But now the outdoor amphitheater is adopting a “no tolerance” policy when it comes to drinking and tailgating.

Fans buying tickets for shows this season were surprised to see “No Tailgating” stamped on their stubs. On its Facebook page, Jiffy Lube Live writes that safety, and abiding by Virginia’s law banning public alcohol consumption, prompted the change.

“The safety of the fans is of paramount importance and we have an ongoing commitment to work with the local police department on all shows to ensure a safe environment for all of our fans. As part of this commitment, it has been determined that it is in the best interest of the fans and their overall experience at the venue to not allow tailgating.”

Fans, particularly “Parrotheads” who flock to Jimmy Buffett shows, have flooded Jiffy Lube Live’s Facebook page with complaints. They’ve even started a Facebook page of their own called “Boycott Jiffy Lube Live Tailgating Policy.”

The Times-Picayune has a great writeup of Jimmy Buffett’s performance at JazzFest on Saturday night:

Buffett’s island style lent new significance to typical Jazz Fest sights and smells: the beach balls that bounce through the crowd at the Acura Stage, the beach towels spread throughout the Fair Grounds, the coconut scent of suntan lotion that floats in the air. Typical Jazz Fest attire – the flip-flops, straw hats, bikini tops, tropical shirts – seemed even more appropriate as Buffett made the crowd feel like a beach must be nearby, somewhere just beyond the massive crowd. Maybe the ocean view is blocked by those tall guys with the parrots atop their hats?

But never mind that. Nothing matters when Buffett starts singing about pirates and sailors, cheeseburgers and margaritas. He starts strumming and you can practically smell salt in the air, hear waves sloshing against the shore.

Read the review here.

Buffett’s performance will be streamed this evening at rollingstone.com/jazzfest.