HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — New entries will join fan favorites in the lineup of the First Ever 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® on Monday in downtown Hot Springs.
“We are so pleased to see the new participants join our lineup alongside some of the favorite entries in this year’s parade,” Visit Hot Springs Special Events Manager Alexis Hampo said Wednesday. “This year’s World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade is going to be a great, green, event.”
Among the parade participants that have entertained the 30,000 yearly spectators for over a decade will be 100 members of the International Order of Marching Irish Elvi — a fun-loving bunch who treat the fans to frenetic impersonations of the immortal Elvis Presley and his former wife, Priscilla.
They’ll be joined by some new entries, including the International Society of Helen Ropers — Spa City Helens Chapter. The float — modeled on the Regal Beagle Bar — will feature costumed characters from the TV comedy, “Three’s Company,” including 10 Helen Ropers, the wife of the show’s landlord, Stanley. Helen Roper was played in the series and a spinoff, “The Ropers,” by actress Audra Lindley. “The 10 Helens will be walking alongside the float and handing out beads to the fans,” Hampo said. “This is going to be great.”
In addition to the Irish Elvi, some of the fan favorite entries will include the Pocket Theatre’s “Good to Be Green” float, featuring a green Shrek and all his fairytale creatures, including Dragon, in their best green outfits.
Also returning will be the 20 members of The O’Eddies, the infamous Cousin Eddie Johnson played by Randy Quaid in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
In addition to the marching Helen Ropers, new entries this year will include Bricks and Mini Figs featuring costumed participants on a 10-foot trailer decorated in Legos, Plastic blocks, and a large plastic pot filled with gold beads that can be tossed.
Also new this year will be the Electric Strawberry float, complete with a pot of gold.
The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Hot Springs’ parade annually brings 30,000 fun-loving spectators into downtown Hot Springs to watch a riotous mixture of floats, bands, marching groups, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and 40 other entries strut, walk and ride the 98-foot length of Bridge Street, the World’s Shortest Street in Everyday Use.
This year will also feature beloved actress Valerie Bertinelli as the celebrity grand marshal and hip-hop legend Flavor Flav as the official parade starter. Legendary rock band Grand Funk Railroad will perform a free public concert in the parade area on March 16, the day before the parade. Tribute band The Molly Ringwalds will perform a free concert immediately after the parade on March 17.
For more information contact Alexis Hampo at 501-321-2027.