DATE: March 10, 2026
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — The lineup is set. The celebrities, floats, marchers and Irish Elvis Impersonators are putting on the final touches. The World’s Tallest Leprechaun is getting ready to strut his stuff. The crowd favorite band, The Molly Ringwalds, is tuning up for the free post-parade concert.
Movie star Carmen Electra says she is looking forward to her reign as the Celebrity Grand Marshal and American Ninja host Matt Iseman is practicing his role as the Official Starter.
The world’s slowest footracers are lacing up their Nikes for a Zero K “sprint.”
Yes, the First Ever 23rd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade is waiting on the launch pad for liftoff on March 17 on 98-foot-long Bridge Street in downtown Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.
“The participants are all signed up and ready,” said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs and founder of the world-famous little parade. “We’re thinking this could be one of our best parades yet. We’ve got all the elements that have brought thousands of fans and worldwide attention to our city for more than 20 years now.
“We’re just waiting for American Ninja Warrior host Matt Iseman to get everything started and Grand Marshal Carmen Electra to greet her fans.”
Alexis Hampo, special events manager for Visit Hot Springs, said the list of participants has been solidified and includes a bit of all the elements that have brought hilarious fun to America’s Spa for more than two decades.
The lineup:
• Honor Guard
• Hot Springs Fire Department Fire Truck
• Parade Starter – American Ninja Warrior host Matt Iseman
• Garvan Gardens – Dinky O’Smartie, World’s Shortest Car
• North Little Rock Middle School Dance Team “Sapphire Cats” Shakin’ Sassy Shamrocks
• King Monte Everhart and Queen JoAnn Mangione
• King and Queen’s Royal Court
• Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors – Awesome Ambassadors
• Mermaid Mossy: The Ouachita Mermaid – Irish I Was a Mermaid
• Riser Ford Bath Tub Race Champions
• Mountain Pine High School Red Devil Marching Band
• Spa City St. Paddy Wagon
• Embassy Suites – Embassy Óstán of Hot Springs
• Regions Bank Big Green Bike Brigade
• Savannah Banana Dancing Umpire Vincent Chapman
• Alliance Rubber Company – Alliance Green
• Miss Arkansas
• LifeNet – You Don’t Need Luck with LifeNet
• Rusty Nail Line Dancers – These Boots Were Made for Dancin’
• Special Guest football legend Dan Hampton
• The Dancin’ Texas Glammas
• Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
• Shirley Lane Services LLC – PAST REFLECTIONS
• Arkansas Diamonds Football Team St. Paddys Float
• Betty’s Big Country Dance Hall – Betty’s Honky Tonk Hooligans
• Grand Marshal Carmen Electra
• Oaklawn
• Pocket Theatre – Wickedly Green
• Hospice Homecare – “Lucky to Have a Care Team Like Us!”
• Traveling Sisters
• Theta Pi Chapter of Beta Pi
• Deluca’s Pizza – Irish Order of Marching Elvi
• ESQ – LUCKY
• Big Idaho Potato
• Lake Hamilton Bounce House Rentals – Foam Party
• Northwoods Trails
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 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.
The fun begins at 4 p.m. with the annual World’s Shortest Zero K footrace that covers 299 feet from the Bridge Street parade route to the World’s Largest Inflatable Irish Pub across the intersection. Hundreds of costumed “runners” compete for glory in an event that benefits the Tri-Lakes CASA organization that represents foster kids.
At 6:30 p.m. the parade itself begins its brief journey down Bridge Street. It has been named numerous times in many media outlets as being among the Top 10 St. Patrick’s Day parades in the world.
It annually features a lineup of outrageous wackiness that includes a troupe of Marching Irish Elvis Impersonators, the World’s Tallest Leprechaun, zany floats and marching units, plus a surprise or two.
Immediately following the parade The Molly Ringwalds cover band will entertain the crowd with a free public concert.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.