It was hard to miss on April 20th: the Tiki Bar on Solomon’s Island officially opened for 2007.
With the bar itself fully functional – and fully stocked – along with the newly constructed Grill Sgt. Bar-B-Que food kiosk up and running, an estimated 10,000 turned out to celebrate a new summer on the Island.
Boats docked in the water across the street, cars parked where they could from the bar along the Island to Rt. 4. Representatives from organizations passed out free merchandise to advertise their businesses. The first Mai Tai’s of the season were served. According to manager Joe Curley, the Tiki Bar’s opening weekend was a great success.
“The sheriffs department is estimating around 10,000 people [attended the opening],” Curley told The Bay Net. “We thought it was a little higher judging by some of the supplies we went through, but you never know.”
Through the Tiki Village drink and food vendors were selling anything from burgers to fries to mixed alcoholic drinks, not to mention the main food and drink facilities – the bar itself and the newly established Grill Sgt. BBQ eatery – where a sea of patrons endlessly flowed.
After a week of cloud and rain the surprisingly sunny evening was a call to the island for many. The skies were very clear, the sun was shining. Rain-weary patrons got into the swing of things, celebrating the warm weather in cool island clothes. Many patrons arrived decked in shorts, Hawaiian shirts, flip flops, and sunglasses. “We haven’t had this good weather since I believe 2002,” said Curley of the opening.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Southern Maryland aluminum can fundraiser was operating at the opening. Money raised from cans recycled at the Tiki Bar will go specifically to BBBS to work towards helping kids in the area find guidance and mentoring. The amount of money raised for the organization opening weekend has not yet been calculated, but ought to be significant.
As one of the many highlights to this year’s opening, the newly built and established barbeque kiosk, “Grill Sgt. BBQ,” brought many customers to the bar, selling spare ribs, Italian sausages, and plenty besides the usual grill fare.
This year the Grill Sgt. moved from his concessions trailer beside the bar inside one of the Tiki buildings, where he has started his restaurant.
“It’s my life long dream. I’ve been doing barbeque for about nine years now,” the Grill Sgt. told The Bay Net. “I spent two years here out front in my concessions trailers…[The owners] gave me the opportunity to come on inside.” It wasn’t until Thursday, the day before the bar’s opening when the Grill Sergeant moved in.
“The Tiki Bar’s opening was the biggest I’ve ever seen. It was jam packed,” said the Grill Sgt.
Despite many petitions against the Tiki Bar prior to its 2007 opening, the bar was fully functional and received much positive feedback. “I think the Tiki Bar represented itself very well as an establishment,” said Curley.
“When things go wrong during that weekend, they tend to say something bad happened at ‘the Tiki Bar opening.’ But when there’s positive publicity they call it the ‘Solomon’s Island spring launch.’”
There were no arrests at the