Margaritas, cheeseburgers … and parrots? Yes, there was that and more at the Jimmy Buffett-themed 2024 WYES Gala — It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere presented by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust.
Held at the WYES studios on May 9, guests donned tropical attire to support the station, which airs PBS shows as well as local favorites such as Kevin Belton’s Cookin’ Louisiana, Steppin’ Out, Informed Sources and documentaries.
The Jimmy Buffett tribute band, the Landsharks Band, serenaded the crowds with “Margaritaville” and other favorites, while Caribbean cuisine by The Windsor Court and island drinks put guests in just the right mood.
The online auction started a week before the event, and the most coveted items were a guitar autographed by The Rolling Stones, a Viking eight-day European River Cruise and framed, 2011 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival poster by Garland Robinette featuring Buffett.
Event co-chairs were Alicia and Douglas Higginbotham, Erin and JP Hymel, and Alison Toussaint-LeBeaux.
“The WYES Gala co-chairs hit it out of the park with a fun theme — who doesn’t love Jimmy Buffett! Thanks to the support of our dedicated co-chairs, committee, sponsors and patrons, the WYES studios were transformed into Margaritaville, complete with cheeseburgers in paradise, pirates, parrots and much more!” said Mark Romig, WYES board chair.
“It was great, and we raised much needed funds for the station’s mission!”
Fun Fact: A first for a WYES gala: guests were entertained by talking parrots, File Gumbo and Buttercup, chaperoned by Dr. Gregory Rich of Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital of Louisiana.
