HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — They’re “comin’ to your town to help you party it down.” Top selling ‘70s rock group Grand Funk Railroad will perform on Sunday, March 16 – the eve of the First Ever 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® in downtown Hot Springs.
“We’re going to celebrate the evening before our giant little parade with the legendary American rock band, Grand Funk Railroad,” parade founder and Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said. “They’ll get our fans in the mood for the world-famous parade with a free public concert on the Bridge Street Stage in the heart of the city on Sunday, March 16. As Rolling Stone columnist David Fricke famously said, ‘You cannot talk about rock in the 1970s without talking about Grand Funk Railroad.’”
“Then on Monday evening, March 17, 30,000 fans will gather to watch our famous little parade on 98-foot Bridge Street,” Arrison said. “The parade will feature beloved star Valerie Bertinelli as our celebrity grand marshal and hip-hop legend Flavor Flav as our official starter. It’s going to be a blast. Crowd favorite band The Molly Ringwalds will be back for a free public concert immediately after the parade ends.”
Grand Funk Railroad includes original founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums) and bassist Mel Schacher. Joining Brewer and Schacher are singer Max Carl, a rock veteran from 38 Special, lead guitarist Mark Chatfield and keyboardist Tim Cashion.
Grand Funk laid the groundwork for such bands as Foreigner, Journey, Van Halen and Bon Jovi with its signature hard driving sound, soulful vocals, muscular instrumentation and forceful pop melodies. Their hits include “We’re an American Band,” “I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home,” “The Locomotion” and “Some Kind of Wonderful,” all of which still receive continuous airplay on classic rock radio.
The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® features a zany array of floats, marching bands, Irish Elvis impersonators, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, wacky costumed groups, and guest celebrities that cover the 98-foot parade route.
For more information contact Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.