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Local law enforcement has been mobilized and area hotels are filling up. It’s time for Solomons Island’s notorious watering hole—the Tiki Bar—to open for the season.

Despite the anticipated presence of thousands from as far away as Texas and Florida, Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans [R] reports his cadre of law enforcement officers intend to keep every street in Solomons open throughout the revelry, which officially begins at high noon Friday, April 20.

In addition to Calvert County deputies, Maryland State Police troopers and officers from the Maryland Natural Resources Police will be on duty.

On Tuesday, April 17, Calvert County Commissioners’ President Gerald W. “Jerry” Clark [R], who happens to be a Solomons business owner, reported that the area hotels still had vacancies. That situation charged 72 hours later. “I understand they are starting to get a few more bookings,” said Clark Thursday. In addition to the area lodges, Clark stated other businesses in the south portion of Calvert get a boost from the Tiki Bar crowd. “All the businesses increase by about 20 percent,” said Clark.

There is no area designated for event parking. In years past a field located across from Calvert Marine Museum on Route 2 was available. However, the owner of the field no longer makes the parcel available during the opening weekend of the Tiki Bar. Shuttle bus service from another satellite field was also discontinued. Clark said that was because the buses are federally and state-subsidized.

At a recent meeting of the Solomons Civic Association, Tiki Bar co-owner Terry Clark reported that “King Neptune” would be arriving by helicopter at approximately 4 p.m. to preside over the festivities.

Several entities, including the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Bob Hall LLC, Anheuser Busch, the Maryland State Police, the Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse and area traffic safety programs; are collaborating on a “Designated Driver Program” both Friday and Saturday. All designated drivers will be awarded a prize and become eligible for a grand prize drawing. The top prize is a “Solomons Island Dream Weekend.” Evans will draw the winning entry in a ceremony planned for Monday, April 23 at 11 a.m.

Having a designated driver—one who remains sober throughout the festive weekend—is a good idea since police will have driving under the influence (DUI) saturation patrols Friday and Saturday evenings. The DUI patrols are part of Maryland’s Checkpoint Strikeforce, which will be in operation throughout the late spring and summer.According to a Calvert County Sheriff’s Office press release, these enforcement efforts are funded through the State Highway Administration’s Maryland Highway Safety Office. Areas where a high number of DUI arrests or accidents have occurred in the past will be targeted for enforcement efforts.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com

Be sure to check back throughout the day to see our annual Tiki photo slideshow. Who knows...maybe you've been CAUGHT IN THE NET!