DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2026
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — The Deputy Assistant World’s Tallest Leprechaun will receive the symbolic shillelagh from retiring Leprechaun Monte Everhart on March 17 and will deliver the accustomed hijinks that accompany the First Ever 23rd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® in downtown Hot Springs.
Retired businessman Everhart, who has presided as the World’s Tallest Leprechaun since 2021, will hand over his “scepter” to Stephen Inman-Crawley just before the parade begins before a crowd of thousands along 98-foot Bridge Street at 6:30 p.m. on that day.
Everhart and magazine publisher JoAnn Mangione will reign over this year’s parade as King and Queen.
The World’s Tallest Leprechaun role was created by the late Hot Springs radio legend and community leader Dick Antoine, who passed away in 2021.
Inman-Crawley, a Hot Springs Realtor, said he was both overjoyed and appreciative at taking on his new role.
“Being a part of what I believe to be the best annual event in Hot Springs and even around the state is such an honor,” he said. “I never had the opportunity to meet Dick Antoine, but from the stories I’ve heard, I feel like I do know him and we would have definitely hit it off. You can bet that everything I do for this parade will always be with him in mind.”
“To Monte,” he continued, “thank you for inviting me to be part of something so special. For recognizing my crazy, uninhibited personality and deciding it was a perfect fit to add to the team.
“This parade is truly something I look forward to every year. To my community of Hot Springs, Visit Hot Springs and current and soon-to-be-fans of ‘LaLa The Leprechaun’ and the World’s Shortest St. Pat’s Parade, I say thank you and let’s get ready to have some fun. Let’s get Greeny with it.”
Inman-Crawley said his reference to LaLa The Leprechaun comes from his kids.
“My kids call me LaLa, so that’s the stage name they and those who know me call me. That seems appropriate.”
He said his role as Deputy Assistant World’s Tallest Leprechaun began when Everhart saw him “dressed as the Easter Bunny dancing in the middle of Malvern Avenue to attract business for the 420eats food truck court. Monte knew he’d found a new leprechaun crazy enough to entertain a crowd.”
Inman-Crawley said he moved to Hot Springs in 2011 and was married to his husband Eddie at the Anthony Chapel at Garvan Gardens in 2012. He has two children — Rhetta “RJ”, age 12, and Rhys, age 8. He has been a Realtor since 2015 and is an executive broker with Rix Realty – Advantage Team Realtors.
The new World’s Tallest Leprechaun will become part of 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.