Photo by Ron Bailey, TheBayNet.com Photographer.
Prince Frederick, MD – The celebrated opening of an outdoor bar in Southern Calvert County will be heavy with entertainment, revelry and tight security again this year. On Thursday evening, March 24 the owners and operators of the Tiki Bar in Solomons went before the Calvert County Liquor Board to provide an overview of how they plan to keep the mid-April opening weekend under control.
Earlier during the meeting the board voted unanimously to approve the Tiki Bar’s request for a special events permit.
Tiki Bar owner Terry Clarke noted that 2016 marks the 36th year for the bar’s spring opening. He noted the opening weekend attracts visitors to Southern Maryland from all over the country and even the territory of Guam, where a couple who met at the Tiki Bar many years ago make a sentimental journey to Solomons.
Clarke said 15,000 people are expected on the island for opening weekend. On Friday, April 15 the bar will open at noon.
Live bands are scheduled both Friday and Saturday. According to the Tiki Bar’s Facebook page, the bands booked for the weekend include Mirror Mirror, Come Back Iris and No Last Call. Magicians will also be entertaining the revelers. A laser show is scheduled for both Friday and Saturday nights.
At 4 p.m. Friday King Neptune arrives by boat in Solomons Harbor.
Clarke told the board an official closing time for Friday’s festivities will not be announced. “It’s a crowd control issue,” he explained.
In addition to the special events permit issued by the liquor board, the Tiki Bar’s opening weekend plan has been reviewed and approved by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Clarke said there will be “three points of entry” for accessing the bar and its adjoining area where the alcohol sales are being made. Electric scanners will be used to check every potential imbiber’s identification. Clarke admitted the identification forgery has gotten more sophisticated lately but indicated the scanners have demonstrated reliability when used previously.
“We have our own security staff,” said Clarke. “We know how to manage crowds.” He added that the Tiki Bar’s management “takes security very seriously.” Several training sessions have been held during the past weekends to ensure staff is fully prepared to handle the challenges. Member of the bar’s security detail include retired law enforcement officers and military police.
To further ensure the opening would be as mayhem-free as possible, Clarke said individuals will be turned away if they are garbed in motorcycle gang-wear. No backpacks will be allowed either.
Additionally, members of the opening weekend staff will police the island and points north in Solomons to remove any bar-related debris. “We clean the entire island up to 7-Eleven,” said Clarke.
As it traditionally does, local and state law enforcement will also have a presence in Solomons on land in the surrounding waterways throughout opening weekend.
Clarke submitted written copies of the Tiki Bar’s opening weekend plan to the Liquor Board members. He also assured them the residents living near the bar have been briefed on the event plans.
“Sounds like you guys got your act together,” said Calvert Liquor Board Chairman Robert Arscott.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com