HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — The lineup is set for the First Ever 21st Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, to be held Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on 98-foot Bridge Street in downtown Hot Springs.
“We have some really exciting entries this year,” Visit Hot Springs Special Events Manager Alexis Hampo said. “Some have been participating in the parade for years and others are brand new to Bridge Street. I am thrilled to see all the creative, green and St. Pat’s-themed floats and groups coming to celebrate the 21st year of our tiny and wonderful parade.”
New this year will be a float, Lucky You, I Do, which will feature an attempt to set the record for World’s Shortest Wedding Ceremony. Janet Smith and Jerry Don Wheeler plan to be married in a 60-second wedding ceremony near the conclusion of the world-famous little parade. Their plan has focused nationwide attention on the parade since they announced it two weeks ago.
An internet search gives varying results for the world’s shortest wedding ceremony, but the claimed world record is listed as 6 minutes 36 seconds for a ceremony in Westminster, Colo., in 2007.
The parade will also feature several returning attractions, including a troupe of 14 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and perennial parade favorite International Order of the Irish Elvi (Hot Springs Chapter), a group of Irish-themed Elvis impersonators who annually send the 30,000-plus spectators into fits of laughter with their antics. The Mountain Pine High School Pride of the Red Devils marching band also will be back to entertain. The Cousin O’Eddies, a tribute to the Randy Quaid character — Cousin Eddie — in the classic movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” also will be among the returning favorites.
“Of course, we can’t forget our parade grand marshal, Dallas Cowboys legendary running back Emmitt Smith, and Forrie J. Smith, who plays Lloyd on ‘Yellowstone,’ as the official parade starter,” Hampo said.
The final lineup for the 21st Annual Parade includes:
- The Hot Springs Fire Department’s engine and color guard
- Parade starter Forrie J. Smith
- Cow(boy) Paddy float from Theta Pi
- The Alliance Ranch float from Alliance Rubber
- Leprechauns Come Alive at Blarneystone Ranch float by Betty’s Big Country Dance Hall
- Charlie Evans and the “Paw Patrol” characters
- Aqua Babes performing group from Hot Springs Health & Fitness
- Flowers of Ireland float from Garland County Master Gardeners
- Dinky O’Smartie — World’s Shortest Car from Garvan Woodland Gardens
- Miss Arkansas Cori Keller
- Shake Your Shamrock float from the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce
- The Happy Leprechauns float from Hurst Concrete
- Arkansas Spa Pacers St. Pat’s Team performing group
- Parade Queen Joey Lauren Adams
- Parade King Michael (Monster) Todd
- Jesus Surfer float from Lakepoint Church
- St. Patty’s Clovers and Pots O Gold performing group from Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Hot Springs
- Spa City St. Paddy Wagon float
- NWA Stepford Wives Gone AWOL performing group
- Six convertibles full of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
- See-More Island float from Pocket Theater
- Shamrockin’ Witches performing group from Wandering Witches
- Patrick’s Rockin the Boat, Baby float from Hot Springs Renaissance Faire
- Mountain Pine High School Pride of the Red Devils Marching Band
- Emmitt Smith-themed truck from Catch 22
- Celebrity Grand Marshal Emmitt Smith
- The Cousin O’ Eddies performing group
- The Traveling Sisters float
- Bathtub Racing Team float from Riser Ford
- Shamrock Shakers float from Randi’s Mud Bugs
- Pot-o-Gold performing group from Rusty Nail Line Dancers
- Oaklawn float
- Lucky You, I Do float from Royal Ridge Weddings, featuring 60-second wedding ceremony
- International Order of the Irish Elvi performing group
- World’s Biggest Potato on Wheels 72-foot Idaho potato
There will be a free public concert on the Bridge Street Stage immediately after the parade by the well-known cover band, The Molly Ringwalds.
Saturday afternoon, March 16, at 4 p.m. there will be the Third Ever Zero-K World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Footrace, starting on Bridge Street and going 299 feet to O’Kelley’s World’s Biggest Inflatable Irish Pub across the street. Saturday evening at 7 there will be a free public concert on the Bridge Street Stage by country superstar Pat Green and Arkansas’ country star Bonnie Montgomery.
Fans attending the parade are reminded that no coolers or lawn chairs are allowed in the parade area, and no pets are allowed.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.