The dream came true for hundreds of visiting Parrot Heads, when Key West's favorite son, singer/guitarist Jimmy Buffett, performed at his nightclub on Thursday night, and again at Friday's Duval Street fair.

"Who was that stranger who played at Margaritaville last night, 'til all hours?" Buffett quipped, as he hopped onto the stage, at the corner of Duval and Fleming streets around 4 p.m., Friday. "Oh, yeah, that was me. Here's an old Key West song."

And with that, the storied South Florida troubadour and his crack six-piece band launched into a spirited version of his song "Strange Occupation." Other Buffett classics followed, including "Tin Cup Chalice," "Volcano," and "Cuban Crime of Passion," while the growing crowd waved fins, parrots and signs, singing along to every song.

"The last time I sang on Duval Street, I got arrested," said Buffett, who was wearing a light blue T-shirt, beige shorts, a white baseball cap, and sunglasses. "But the mayor's back there, so I'm OK. Hi there, Jimmy."

Though the Parrot Head conventions have been held in Key West for the past five years, Buffett hadn't performed here during one since 1998. But on Thursday night, the celebrated singer/songwriter clambered onto the Margaritaville stage and played for hours, treating lucky Parrot Heads who made the pilgrimage to the night of their lives.

"I did not write this song about me, though some people think I mimic it in some ways," Buffett said, introducing "A Pirate Looks At 40" at the street fair.

By the end of Friday's set, Buffett signaled he was ready to "get out there and party," but he didn't leave without thanking the enthusiastic crowd for coming.

"I was just a lounge singer in a Key West bar," he said, thoughtfully. "I don't deserve this, but thank you."

The theme of this year's "Meeting of the Minds" is "The Far Side of the Keys." The four-day convention kicked off Thursday, and continues though Sunday, finishing up at the "No Plane Out on Sunday" party at the Schooner Wharf Bar. The director of the convention, Alex Leist figures at least 3,000 Parrot Heads came to Key West for the event.

Many of them have been staying at the Wyndham Casa Marina Resort, where most of the activities are being held, including live music on the beach. Convention credentials are required for entry.