THQ Inc. today announced the release of the new free mobile app Margaritaville Mobile for iPhone. Players of virtual paradise Margaritaville Online, available now on Facebook and iPad, can further expand the Parrothead lifestyle by using the companion app to claim exclusive rewards. Through multiple tropical themed mini-games and socially driven activities, the Margaritaville Mobile iPhone app allows players to earn multiple tiers of badges while obtaining unique rewards for Margaritaville Online on Facebook and iPad.

“From the beginning, THQ’s goal has been to make the laid-back Margaritaville mindset accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime,” said Michael Lustenberger Vice President, Global Brand Management — Online at THQ. “What began on Facebook and iPad with Margaritaville Online continues on through our next virtual vacation destination in Margaritaville Mobile. Now, fans can continue their Parrothead lifestyle on the go by simply checking in and enjoying new content via their iPhones.”

Margaritaville Mobile features include:

• Tiered Badges: Through respective tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Parrothead), earn up to 28 new badges, each with corresponding rewards such as coins and premium food items
• Badge Tier Rewards: Collect all badges in a tier and receive special tier rewards, including: the Margaritaville Crown (character hat), Master Lure (for fishing), MV Mobile Concoction Creator, Seaplane (decoration) and one of every food item in the game
• Photos: Take digital photos of yourself and friends, adding available Margaritaville-themed borders, characters and accessories, and post to Facebook to earn more badges
• Mini-Games: Participate in four of Margaritaville Online’s mini-games including Steel Drum Star, Hammock Time, Limbo and Tile Puzzles to hit milestones and earn badges, including the coveted “Guru Game Star” badge!
• Friend Updates: View the latest happenings from friends while on the go
• Check-In: Earn further badges in the real world by visiting your local location and sharing a “Margaritaville Moment”

Get Margaritaville Mobile free on your iPhone now in the App Store.

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band are taking the Welcome to Fin Land Tour to Arkansas tonight, a state that has been hoping for a Buffett show for a very long time.

The show from the Verizon Arena in Little Rock will kick off shortly after 8:00 pm and you can listen live on Radio Margaritaville at www.margaritaville.com or on Sirius XM.

Following the Little Rock show, Buffett and the crew will hit Louisville, KY before heading to the West Coast. View the full tour schedule and find tickets here.

Checkout this video report from today’s groundbreaking in Bossier City, LA.

Jimmy Buffett was in Bossier City, Louisiana this morning to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for his Margaritaville Resort Casino.

Developers of the Margaritaville Resort Casino officially broke ground on their $197 million project today during a special ceremony that included an appearance from Jimmy Buffett.

Mayor Lorenz “Lo” Walker, city councilmen, Bossier police jurors, representatives of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, as well as other area officials were in attendance.

Construction will begin immediately on the $197 million casino and hotel, which is targeted to open in June 2013. Margaritaville Resort Casino is projected to provide more than 1,200 jobs and more than $12 million in local tax revenue to support jobs for first-responders and educators.

The casino would feature a 30,000-square-foot, single-level gaming floor, the famous “It’s 5’OClock Somewhere” bar, an 18-story hotel with 396 rooms, a 900-seat entertainment venue, spa and fitness center, outdoor pool deck and dining area, and four dining options, including the trademark Margaritaville Restaurant.

View more photos of the groundbreaking here.

The 2012 Welcome to Fin Land Tour rolls into the Florida panhandle tonight with a show at the Leon County Civic Center in Tallahassee.

You can listen to the show live on Radio Margaritaville on Sirius XM or at margaritaville.com. Jimmy will take the stage a little after 8:00 pm ET.

After Tallahassee, Jimmy heads to Little Rock on Thursday and Louisville on Saturday. See the tour schedule and get your tickets here.