DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2025
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — The “Dancing Umpire” is going to do the tango down the World’s Shortest Street in Everyday Use on March 17, 2026, as part of the First Ever 23rd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® in downtown Hot Springs.
Vincent Chapman, who adds a bit of terpsichore to the whacked-out Savannah Bananas baseball exhibitions as the Dancing Umpire, will be a special guest celebrity for the 23rd edition of the world-famous little parade.
The Dancing Umpire taken the baseball world by storm — uniting fans through energy, laughter and heart. From umpiring with the Savannah Bananas to visiting schools and events nationwide, Chapman turns every appearance into a moment of connection and joy.
Vincent “Vinny” Chapman started umpiring baseball his sophomore year in high school. As a former player from T-ball to the high school ranks, his first game as umpire was a little league game in Atlanta, Texas. (He now resides in Texarkana.) He viewed umpiring as a way to continue to be part of the game he enjoys so much. He has umpired multiple youth world series games and many tournament games across Texas. Vincent has also umpired high school baseball for many years.
In 2008, he started dancing for fun at youth baseball games in between innings. This earned him “The Dancing Umpire” name. In 2015, a video of Chapman dancing at a game went viral on social media reaching over 12 million views and thousands of shares. Ellen Degeneres uploaded one of his dancing videos on Ellentube, increasing his reach even further.
With his unique approach to umpiring continuing to rise in popularity, the Savannah Bananas reached out and offered him an opportunity to be the home plate umpire for the Bananas’ games.He jumped at the chance and has been delighting their fans with his charismatic personality and exciting dance moves since February of 2022.
Chapman will join previously announced celebrity grand marshal Carmen Electra, official starter Matt Iseman, guest celebrity Dan Hampton and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for the 23rd edition of Hot Springs’ internationally acclaimed little parade on 98-foot Bridge Street, the World’s Shortest Street in Everyday Use, according to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.
By the way, Bridge Street has been permanently painted Kelly green to acknowledge the worldwide attention that the little parade has focused on Hot Springs for more than a quarter century.
The parade celebration will begin Tuesday evening, March 17. The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® has brought worldwide attention to Hot Springs and helped expand the city’s reputation as a city that knows how to have fun.
It began in 2003 when Arrison and some friends sharing an adult beverage in an establishment adjacent to 98-foot Bridge Street came up with the idea of using the street as the location for some fun. Bridge Street was named by Ripley’s Believe It or Not as the world’s shortest street in everyday use. The parade swiftly gained attention around the globe for the hilarious premise that gave birth to its annual aura of audacious hilarity. Upwards of 30,000 people are expected to gather in downtown Hot Springs for the 2026 parade.
It annually features a lineup of outrageous wackiness that includes a troupe of Marching Irish Elvis Impersonators, the World’s Largest Leprechaun, zany floats and marching units, plus a surprise or two.
For more information contact Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.