There’s no guarantee what all you MIGHT see, but there are 25 things you will DEFINITELY see at the First Ever 19th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® in downtown Hot Springs on March 17.
The World’s Largest Leprechaun
Johnny McNamara, a 7 year old parade goer from Texas, was quoted as saying, “Mom, that leprechaun must be 20 feet tall!” We like your imagination, Johnny.
The World’s Biggest Potato on Wheels
You can’t miss this super spud. It’s 28 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 11.5 feet tall. French fries for life!!
Razorbacks Coach Sam Pittman and his wife, Jamie, as parade king and queen
Turn that damn jukebox on! Nuf said.
Foghat
These classic rockers made it big with Slow Ride. The concert kicks off directly after the parade.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Catch a dozen for a performance on Bridge Street at 5:00PM. They’ll be in the parade too!
Paw Patrol
Skye and Marshall come to life. Look for them riding in Professional Fisherman Charlie Evan’s fishing boat.
Maryland St. Patrick gang driving the snakes out of Ireland
This group travels the country marching in the best St Paddy’s Day parades. Wait until they experience the shortest.
Parade grand marshal Cheech Marin
The legend himself. He’ll be your Cheech if you’ll be his Chong.
Parade official starter Danny (Machete) Trejo
Everyone’s favorite machete wielding bad guy starts the parade. He’s bad to the bone.
“Marching Irish Elvi” Elvis impersonators
Just a hunka hunka burnin Irish fun that steals the show every year.
People kissing the Arkansas Blarney Stone
Kiss me, I’m vaccinated!
World’s largest inflatable Irish Pub
Get yourself a drink at O’Kelleys inflatable pub located at the corner of Convention and Malvern.
Measuring of the 98-foot parade route
The official measuring of ‘Ripley’s World’s Shortest Street in Everyday Use’ takes place at 6:25PM, just before the parade starts.
98-foot-long Bridge Street itself
Get a spot early. It’s not easy fitting 30,000 green clad parade goers on this little street.
Beads – Collect them all!
Consider this a challenge. Each special guest has their own special bead.
Giant Cheech Puppeteers
How high can a Cheech puppet get? This one needs three people to keep the good times rolling.
The Mountain Pine Marching Band
The marching band that could. The Red Devils are the official music makers of the parade.
The Love Machine
The good folks at Taco Mama will cruise Bridge Street a la Cheech and Chong.
The Wee Bounce O’Round Inflatable Kid Zone
Let the little leprechauns blow off some steam at the bounce house area located near Spring and Malvern.
Green Food & Beer
Oh, it will be a’plenty!
Green Hair
Extra credit for those committing to a permanent head of green. Beards turn green too!
Green Fountains
The fountains around Hot Springs turn green every March to make for a great photo op.
Big Poppa Bubble
There’s a rainbow inside each of these massive dancing bubbles.
A fire truck almost as long as the parade route itself
The fire department gives the biggest potato a run for its money!
The full parade line-up shenanigans!
World’s Shortest Car, a marching band of kazoos, an old-time taxi, and then some! This mix of crowd favorites and new entries will bring all the fun!
The parade, which began in 2003, annually attracts crowds of upwards of 30,000 people to watch an insanely zany collection of Irish Elvis impersonators, marching units such as Paddy O’Furniture, Irish belly dancers and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, as well as other unique units cover the 98-foot length of Bridge Street, the World’s Shortest Street in Everyday Use.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.