Final Schedule Is in Place for Friday’s First Ever 20th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade | Hot Springs National Park Arkansas

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — The schedule is in place for Friday’s First Ever 20th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade on 98-foot Bridge Street in downtown Hot Springs.

“We actually have two days’ worth of free fun events on tap,” said Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison, founder of the annual parade. “We want everyone to have a grand time in Hot Springs and we believe we have lined up plenty of activities to ensure that.”

The schedule:

Friday, March 17

• 3 p.m. — Bridge Street LIVE! Entertainment District Opens
• 4 p.m. — Blarney Stone Kissing Contest at the Arkansas Blarney Stone on Convention Boulevard in front of the Hot Springs Convention Center, with a $100 cash prize to the most romantic smoocher
• 5 p.m. — Pre-Parade Festivities
• 6:25 p.m. — Official Measuring of the 98-foot parade route on Bridge Street
• 6:30 p.m. — 20th Annual Parade begins with firing of the starting pistol by official parade starter Christopher McDonald, Shooter McGavin in the “Happy Gilmore” movie
• 8 p.m. — Free concert by The Molly Ringwalds tribute band on the Bridge Street Stage

Saturday, March 18

• 3 p.m. — Packet pickup begins for the Second Ever Zero-K World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day footrace on Bridge Street
• 5 p.m. — Bridge Street LIVE! Entertainment District Opens
• 5 p.m. — Zero-K race begins on Bridge Street
• 8 p.m. — Free public concert by the iconic Village People on the Bridge Street Stage

“A grand time is guaranteed for all,” Arrison said, “but we have a couple of rules we need everyone to abide by: No lawn chairs allowed on the parade route; no coolers, and no pets. Otherwise, fans can kick out the jams and enjoy one of the greatest little shows on earth in Hot Springs this weekend.”

The landmark First Ever 20th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, will feature an exciting mix of brand new entries and longtime crowd favorites among the floats, bands, dancers, strutters, leprechauns and assorted wacky participants.

For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.