In the last couple of decades, there’s been a handful of major concerts that stood out simply because they happened in Boise.

Like it or not, based on population size and location, our city is still known to much of the entertainment industry as Bum#*%, Egypt.

Still, a few bonafide epic shows have occurred.

When The Eagles performed in 1995 at the BSU Pavilion — now called Taco Bell Arena — it was the highest priced pop-music event ever in Boise at a staggering $55 and $77. (Nowadays, that’s the price of a regular or large beer in most concert venues.)

When Eric Clapton stepped off the plane before his sold-out Idaho Center debut in 1998, he was greeted by his own private ... tractor. (This Idaho “limo service” gag, including a flatbed with hay bales and a “Welcome Eric” sign, drew big laughs. Slowhand even took a spin around the airfield before his actual town car arrived.)

And the Rolling Stones extravaganza in Nampa in 2006? Wow, 11,000 fans still remember how memorable that night was. I still can’t believe they played here.

Jimmy Buffett and His Coral Reefer Band — coming Oct. 25 to Taco Bell Arena — feels kind of the same way.

I never would have predicted Buffett coming here. I even had a discussion with a promoter once who felt Bronco Stadium was the only venue big enough to handle him. When’s the last time you saw a concert at Bronco Stadium?

Exactly.

But times have changed. Concerts don’t draw as many folks. So “Margaritaville” fans are in luck.

People watchers are, too.

Buffett’s show — on sale Sept. 14 at Select-a-Seat for $49 and $99 — will bring an army of laid-back crazies unlike anything Boise has seen.

When I posted the news on my blog Tuesday, Parrotheads appeared like magic. I imagined them spilling Cuervo on their keyboards as they typed.

“I have been to over 30 shows in 9 states! Even got married at one!” commented user Jimmyfan.

“I can’t wait to see him in Idaho! I have seen him in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Las Vegas, Kansas City, and Portland. I can FINALLY see him in Idaho!!!” added Fruitcake. “I am polishing my coconut bra and ironing my grass skirt!”

A grave concern among Parrotheads, of course, involves tailgating. Parrotheads like to roll in with their RVs and battery-powered blenders and get the party started at, say, 8 a.m.

Taco Bell Arena executive director Lisa Cochran indicated by email that margaritas and LandShark Lager (Buffett’s beer brand) will be sold inside the arena. I tried to get her on the phone afterward and get a feel for tailgating or pre-party possibilities. As of press time, no luck.

Tailgating happens at BSU football games, so there’s no reason officials can’t find a way to make it happen at a Buffett concert, where it’s a main component of the tropical party culture.

BSU should set up parking-lot concession stands. Charge extra for RV parking. Sell salt and limes. Whatever. Make money from it.

We want to see grown-ups wearing Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops outside in late October. Pulling each other around in decorated wagons. Pretending that Boise is Key West.

Like Clapton or the Stones, this has the potential to be one of those events we talk about for decades to come — and, handled correctly, a public-relations home run for BSU.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES

• First, the hot air balloons got grounded for a day. Then wildfires created a haze in the Boise sky.

But none of it dampened last week’s Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic in Ann Morrison Park.

“Attendance was out of this world,” says Kevin Godwin of sponsor Peak Broadcasting.

Need a warm-and-fuzzy morale boost? I shot video of balloons landing among school children behind Garfield Elementary. Watching and hearing those ecstatic kids will make you feel better about the entire universe. (Link on my blog.)

Nationally, media ranging from USA Today to the San Francisco Chronicle ran a photo from the Classic. Good exposure for Boise.

• Pairing ’80s arcade games with beer is about to be all the rage. Check out the coming Spacebar Arcade in Downtown Boise (on Facebook) or Grinkers Grand Palace in Eagle (at Grinkers.com.)

Forget Frogger and Pac-Man. If they have Track & Field, I’m there.

Michael Deeds’ column runs Fridays in Scene and Sundays in Life.