HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — The lineup is set for the First Ever 21st Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, to be held Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on 98-foot Bridge Street in downtown Hot Springs.
"We have some really exciting entries this year,” Visit Hot Springs Special Events Manager Alexis Hampo said. “Some have been participating in the parade for years and others are brand new to Bridge Street. I am thrilled to see all the creative, green and St. Pat's-themed floats and groups coming to celebrate the 21st year of our tiny and wonderful parade."
New this year will be a float, Lucky You, I Do, which will feature an attempt to set the record for World’s Shortest Wedding Ceremony. Janet Smith and Jerry Don Wheeler plan to be married in a 60-second wedding ceremony near the conclusion of the world-famous little parade. Their plan has focused nationwide attention on the parade since they announced it two weeks ago.
An internet search gives varying results for the world’s shortest wedding ceremony, but the claimed world record is listed as 6 minutes 36 seconds for a ceremony in Westminster, Colo., in 2007.
The parade will also feature several returning attractions, including a troupe of 14 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and perennial parade favorite International Order of the Irish Elvi (Hot Springs Chapter), a group of Irish-themed Elvis impersonators who annually send the 30,000-plus spectators into fits of laughter with their antics. The Mountain Pine High School Pride of the Red Devils marching band also will be back to entertain. The Cousin O’Eddies, a tribute to the Randy Quaid character — Cousin Eddie — in the classic movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” also will be among the returning favorites.
“Of course, we can’t forget our parade grand marshal, Dallas Cowboys legendary running back Emmitt Smith, and Forrie J. Smith, who plays Lloyd on ‘Yellowstone,’ as the official parade starter,” Hampo said.
The final lineup for the 21st Annual Parade includes:
There will be a free public concert on the Bridge Street Stage immediately after the parade by the well-known cover band, The Molly Ringwalds.
Saturday afternoon, March 16, at 4 p.m. there will be the Third Ever Zero-K World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Footrace, starting on Bridge Street and going 299 feet to O’Kelley’s World’s Biggest Inflatable Irish Pub across the street. Saturday evening at 7 there will be a free public concert on the Bridge Street Stage by country superstar Pat Green and Arkansas’ country star Bonnie Montgomery.
Fans attending the parade are reminded that no coolers or lawn chairs are allowed in the parade area, and no pets are allowed.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.