Planning a visit for the First-Ever 23rd Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade? Here's 10 Things Not to Miss, from celebrity guests to a free concert along our 98-foot parade route. Plan your visit today to celebrate our extra green, extra short parade!
Parade Starter - Matt Iseman
Let's goooooo! Matt Iseman, famed host of hit show "American Ninja Warrior," will be the official Parade Starter for this year's parade. Best known as the host of NBC’s three-time Emmy Award-nominated hit competition series, “American Ninja Warrior,” which just wrapped its 17th season, he and his co-host, Akbar Gbajabiamila, also hosted the 2017 and 2018 “Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular,” which aired on NBC. In 2018 and 2019, he hosted History’s “Evel Live” specials, which honor legendary daredevil Evel Knievel.
Grand Marshal - Carmen Electra
Multitalented entertainer Carmen Electra will serve as the celebrity grand marshal for this year's parade! Electra is an actress, model, singer, entrepreneur, and television personality whose career has spanned music, film, fashion, and beauty for over three decades. She became a household name through MTV’S hit show “Singled Out,” her role as Lani McKenzie on “Baywatch,” which helped cement her status as one of the most recognizable pop culture figures of her era.
Dan Hampton
Touchdown! College and pro football Hall of Famer, Dan Hampton, joins our 98-foot parade as a special celbrity guest! Dan Hampton, nicknamed “Danimal” for his ferocious style of play, starred with the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Chicago Bears. He exemplified toughness and perseverance throughout his football career in college and the pros. Hampton remains a familiar presence in Chicago. He serves as a spokesperson for Chevrolet as well as the Better Business Bureau of Chicago, he co-hosts the nationally syndicated “Pro Football Weekly” television show and entertains fans with his popular “Hamp & OB Show” on WGN Radio, providing pre- and post-game coverage of the Bears.
Savannah Bananas Dancing Umpire
Get ready to dance! The Savannah Bananas Dancing Umpire will be a special celebrity guest at this year's World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade! The Dancing Umpire has taken the baseball world by storm - uniting fans through energy, laughter, and heart. From umpiring with the Savannah Bananas to visiting schools and events nationwide, Chapman turns every appearance into a moment of connection and joy. Don't miss him dancing down Bridge Street during the parade!
Zero-K Race
The World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade wouldn't be complete without the Shortest St. Pat's Zero-K Race, benefiting Tri-Lakes CASA, where participants face a 299-foot race route from Bridge Street to Malvern Avenue. Awards will be given to the best costumes - so wear all your GREEN! The Zero-K race will begin at 4PM on Tuesday, March 17, on Bridge Street.
Want it on the Zero-K fun? Register now here.
Blarney Stone $100 Kissing Contest
Pucker up! It's the Romancing of the Blarney Stone $100 Kissing Contest! For years, participants have attempted to swoon the stone for a cash prize. Elaborate dances, witty banter, serenades, and good ol' fashioned smooches! Join in watching the spectacle or get involved in the shenanigans yourself! The Blarney Stone Kissing Contest will be held Tuesday, March 17 at 4PM at the corner of Convention Blvd and Malvern Avenue.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Everyone's favorite cheerleaders are back for the 23rd Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade! The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will kick off the pre-parade fun with a performance at 5:00PM, followed by their appearance in the parade at 6:30PM!
Parade Route Measuring
Arguably, the most important part of the parade is the Parade Route Measuring! Each year, before our parade begins, we take out our measuring tape and measure to make sure our parade is, in fact, 98-feet short. The Parade Route Measuring begins at 6:29PM on Tuesday, March 17, followed directly by the parade at 6:30PM!
Big Idaho Potato
One SHORT parade, one LARGE potato! The World's Largest Potato on Wheels, Big Idaho Potato Tour, makes its 5th appearance at the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade. Just how big is the Big Idaho Potato? The four-ton spectacular spud is equivalent to 20,217 servings of mashed potatoes and over 1 million french fries. See this extra-large potato in the parade!
Free Concert by The Molly Ringwalds
The fun doesn't end when the parade is over! Get ready to rock through the night to The Molly Ringwalds, "the ultimate '80s cover band," features each musician taking on a distinctive character, from lead singer and guitarist Sir Devon Nooner, who dresses like Adam Ant, to Devo-inspired lead guitarist Platinum Randi Wilde, "The Karate Kid"-clad drummer Sir Liam Thunders, Pee Wee -inspired keyboardist Dickie English and Dee Snider-based bassist Lord Phillip Wang. They are inspired by legendary groups such as The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Queen, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Journey, and Guns 'N Roses.
First-Ever 23rd Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 17, 2026
3PM - District Opens
4PM - Zero K Race
3:45PM - Crowning of the King of Queen
4PM - Blarney Stone Kissing Contest
5PM - Pre-Parade Festivities with DCC
6:20PM - Official Measuring of Parade Route
6:30PM - World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade
8PM - Concert by The Molly Ringwalds
For more information on this year's parade, give us a call at 501-321-2277.
