DATE: JANUARY 25, 2026
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — The World’s Largest Leprechaun and the editor-publisher of the city’s monthly tourism publication will reign on March 17 as the King and Queen of the First Ever 23rd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® in downtown Hot Springs.
Retired businessman Monte Everhart and JoAnn Mangione, who edits and publishes The Springs Magazine, will greet the crowd of thousands of their “subjects” as they ride down 98-foot Bridge Street at 6:30 p.m. on that day.
“Being selected King in this, my final year as the World’s Largest Leprechaun, came as a complete surprise,” Everhart said. “I will really miss being part of something that has allowed me to make some incredible memories.”
Everhart, who has delighted crowds for years as the World’s Largest Leprechaun, will hand over his shillelagh at the beginning of the parade. He assumed the role of the huge leprechaun in 2021 on the death of his friend, Dick Antoine, who originated the role.
“I would like to thank the parade organizers for allowing me to put on the green suit and represent this town that I love so much and to carry on the tradition started by the original World’s Tallest Leprechaun, my friend, the late Dick Antoine,” Everhart said.
Mangione said of her selection as Queen of the parade, “I’m grinning like a kid who just found the Lucky Charm float. I can’t wait to wave, cheer, and probably throw in a few dance moves — no promises on coordination. You’ve given me the best excuse to wear something sparkly and ridiculous in public — and I’m here for it. Seriously, I’m honored, excited, and ready to bring all the good vibes. Let’s make this parade one for the memory books… and maybe the blooper reel too.”
Everhart said he attended his first parade in 2007 as a spectator.
“My family moved to Hot Springs in 1989 from California — best move we ever made,” he said. “We came to visit my aunt and uncle in 1980, fell in love with the area and said we’d love to retire to a place like this, never thinking we really would. In 1989 we had the opportunity to sell my business and we made the move to Hot Springs. In 1997 I decided to start in business again and opened American Tire & Wheel. In 2024 I sold that business and am finally retired for good.”
Mangione, who has lived in Hot Springs since 1987, said she attended the very first World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® in 2003 as a spectator.
Asked to elaborate on her background, she said, “I am an Italian baker’s daughter who grew up working in the family bakery, gave up learning to play the guitar to take up belly dancing, managed a beautiful southwest gift shop in the Arlington, was COO of Mid-America Science Museum, have volunteered for and have been on some nonprofits’ boards, been a bookkeeper, helped direct ArtBlast for 10-ish years and took one of the best photobombed pics at a St. Pat’s Parade that included photobomber Jim Belushi.”
Asked if he has any Irish ancestry, Everhart joked, “Word has it that the O’Everharts were a notorious band of rubber merchants who changed their name when they came to America.”
To the same question, Mangione replied, “I’m told my Mangione and Lacagnina families may have some Mediterranean-Irish blood. Does that count?”
“To my subjects I proclaim that you must party on,” Everhart said when asked if he had any commands to his “subjects”.
Answering the same question, Mangione replied, “Let them eat cake! Preferably from recipes they find on my Facebook page.”
Everhart and Mangione will “rule” over a parade that will have celebrity grand marshal Carmen Electra, official starter American Ninja Warrior host Matt Iseman, guest celebrities Dan Hampton and Savannah Bananas’ Dancing Umpire Vincent Chapman, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The 23rd edition of the internationally acclaimed little parade will cover the 98-foot length of Bridge Street, the World’s Shortest Street in Everyday Use, according to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. The 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 Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve 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.