History

The history of The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins with an Arkansan of Irish descent sharing a few pints with some friends. The pub where they gathered was situated on the World’s Shortest Street in Everyday Use, Bridge Street in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. The conversation evolved into a question, "How do we use the famed 98-foot Bridge Street to attract visitors to Hot Springs?"

To nobody's surprise, it was the Irish descendant who suggested organizing The World's Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Bridge Street.

In 2004, The First Ever First Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on March 17, 2004 and it made St. Patrick's Day history! A few thousand people gathered for fun and Irish shenanigans in the heart of America’s First Resort and it became a St. Patrick's Day tradition in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.

Over the years, other groups have challenged the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, claiming they had shorter parades. However, research has shown, none of these parades can compete with the 98-foot parade on Bridge Street. One challenger wasn’t so much a parade, but really just a bunch of people wandering around in a city park! The Hot Springs parade organizers have remained firm, that the title would remain in Hot Springs even if the participants of the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade have to march in place — or even march backwards — to keep its designation as World’s Shortest.

Over the years the crowd has grown to more than 30,000 people, and new traditions have been added. In 2005, the parade had the first Celebrity Grand Marshal, and in 2006, The Arkansas Blarney Stone, reportedly discovered by a leprechaun in the forests that surround Hot Springs, was placed in front of the Hot Springs Convention Center. The Blarney Stone now serves as the location of the annual Blarney Stone Kissing Contest. In 2008, a Parade King and Queen were added to the official lineup. Kings and Queens are selected annually by a secret committee of the original parade organizers, and in 2014 the parade included the First Parade Starter.

While a lot has changed and evolved for The World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, the parade organizers re-measure Bridge Street prior to every parade to ensure, the 98-foot parade, remains the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade.

2004 - Grand Marshals: Dick Kelley and Bob Wheeler

2005 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: George Wendt

2006 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Pauly Shore

2007 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Mario Lopez

2008 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Mike Rowe • Special Guests: Paris Hilton Impersonator & Tiger Woods Impersonator

2009 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: John Ratzenberger • Special Guest: The Famous Chicken • King and Queen: Randy Hill and Kim Everhart

2010 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Bo Derek • Special Guest: Johnny Depp Impersonator • Entertainment: Buddy Jewell • King and Queen: Davis Tillman and Sally Carder

2011 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: John Corbett • Entertainment: John Corbett Band • King and Queen: Dick Antoine and Susan Harper

2012 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Tim Matheson • Entertainment: .38 Special • King and Queen: Lance Hudnell and Cherie Mertz

2013 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Bo Derek and John Corbett • Special Guests: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders • Entertainment: John Corbett Band • King and Queen: Clyde Covington and Bess Sanders

2014 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Jim Belushi • Entertainment: Hot Springs All-Star Band • Special Guest: Mountain Man, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders • King and Queen: Tom and Mary Daniel

2015 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Mark Martin • Entertainment: The Swon Brothers • Special Guest: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders • King and Queen: Don Gooch and Kerry Owen

2016 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Kevin Bacon • Entertainment: The Bacon Brothers • Special Guest: Gary Busey, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders • King and Queen: Lloyd Jackson and Hannah Mills

2017 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Alphonso Riberio • Entertainment: Uncle Kracker • Special Guests: Ric Flair, Tullamore Dew Pop-Up Pub, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders • King and Queen: John Vines and Carla Mouton

2018 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Joey Fatone • Entertainment: Morris Day and The Time, Grand Funk Railroad • Special Guests: Jon Heder, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders • King and Queen: Tony Valinoti and Rose Schweikhart

2019 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Ralph Maccio • Entertainment: Smash Mouth, Three Dog Night • Special Guests: tWitch, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders • King and Queen: Scott McClard and Dona Pettey

2020 - Two Person Parade (Bill Solleder and Alexis Hampo) held due to pandemic

2021 - Pop Up Parade Held Due to Pandemic • King and Queen: Tim Culbreth and Cindy Baswell

2022 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Cheech Marin • Entertainment: Sugar Ray, Foghat • Special Guests: Danny Trejo, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders • King and Queen: Sam and Jamie Pittman

2023 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Justin Moore • Entertainment: Village People, Molly Ringwalds • Special Guest: Christopher McDonald, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Tom Cruise impersonator • King and Queen: John Homer Wright and Minnie Lennox

2024 - Celebrity Grand Marshal: Emmitt Smith • Entertainment: Pat Green, Molly Ringwalds • Special Guest: Forrie J. Smith (Yellowstone), Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders • King and Queen: Michael Todd and Joey Lauren Adams