HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — After nearly a year of quiet, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade rivalry between Hot Springs and Adamsville, R.I., flared again this week amid reports by the Providence Journal of a supposed “truce” and dark hints of an Arkansas “spy” being sent to validate claims made by the Rhode Island organizers.
The newspaper reported during the weekend that “The parade organizers in Adamsville were thought to have settled their dispute with Hot Springs, Arkansas, last year, but rumors are circulating that Hot Springs will send spies to measure the route.”
To recap: Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison, one of the founders of the Hot Springs parade, pointed out in 2024 that the Adamsville parade, which is reportedly 89 feet long, had no claim at all to being The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Arrison said Hot Springs’ parade, which covers the 98-foot length of Bridge Street, is officially The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade®, while the Rhode Island event calls itself a “St. Paddy’s Day” parade.
The Providence Journal reported during the weekend that “The little parade that [Chuck] Kinnane and family members started in 2022 kicked off a controversy that drew widespread attention last when Hot Springs, Arkansas, accused Little Compton [Adamsville] of falsely claiming the world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.”
It continued, “After publicly bickering, the two sides eventually called a truce that let each side save face and claim the title, although the Adamsville parade is clearly shorter, at 89 feet, compared with Hot Springs’ 98 feet. The [Adamsville] parade is officially the ‘World’s Shortest St. Paddy’s Day Parade,’ while Hot Springs carries the title of the ‘World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.’”
On Tuesday, Arrison stepped forward to set the record straight.
“We read with interest the story in the Providence Journal earlier this week about a supposed controversy and truce between the First Ever 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® and the supposedly World’s Shortest St. Paddy’s Day Parade,” he said.
“We would like to set the record straight. There was no truce or compromise. The Rogue Island parade is not even held on St. Patrick’s Day but a day early, on March 16. How can it be a St. Patrick’s Day Parade and be held a day early?
“They should rename it ‘The World’s Shortest DAY BEFORE St. Patrick’s Day Parade.’ Our parade is ALWAYS held ON St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.
“We are considering sending a person to the DAY BEFORE St. Patrick’s Day Parade, not as a spy, but to show the Rogue Island organizers on a calendar what day is St. Patrick’s Day.
“We also want to make sure the color green is being used, since they obviously know little about the holiday. We will send someone to help if we can get them up there in time to return to Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, for THE First Ever 22nd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade®, which is held on Monday, March 17, the day after the Day Before St. Patrick’s Day Parade is being held.”
The 2024 controversy was actually good for the Adamsville parade, according to the Providence newspaper. It about doubled its crowd from the previous year to more than 2,000 people, Kinnane said. The added interest also helped the organizers raise more than $20,000 for area food pantries.
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 marching Irish Elvis Impersonators 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 Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.