What do country star Justin Moore, actor Christopher McDonald, the Village People, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders all have in common? They will all be part of the First Ever 20th Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2023, in Hot Springs, Arkansas! This year's tiny parade is so big, it's going to take TWO days to celebrate it! After the parade on Friday, the fun will continue on Saturday, with The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Footrace, the Second Ever Zero-K, followed by a free concert by Village People.
The Bridge Street LIVE Entertainment district opens at 3pm on Friday, with O'Kelley's World's Largest Inflatable Pop-Up Pub at the intersection of Convention Blvd. and Malvern Ave. The Blarney Stone $100 Kissing Contest starts at 4pm, and pre-parade festivities begin at 5pm. Keep in mind that Bridge Street is only 98 feet long, so if you want a good viewing spot, you'll want to get there early. That's why we recommend checking into our Hot Springs, AR bed and breakfast on Thursday. We'll serve breakfast at Tiffany's with an Irish flair to start your St. Patrick's Day right, and then you might want to sneak back upstairs for a short nap before you head downtown for all the fun!
What is Bridge Street? It's the World's Shortest Street in Everyday Use according to Ripley's Believe It or Not. It intersects with Central Ave., just a few blocks from Bathhouse Row. On St. Patrick's Day, this short little street is packed with a whole lot of fun and quirkiness! The official measuring of the parade route happens at 6:25 pm. Christopher McDonald, who played 'Happy Gilmore' nemesis Shooter McGavin, will be the official parade starter. Arkansas' own Justin Moore is this year's Grand Marshal, and making their debut in 2023 will be Springfield, Missouri’s, Central High School Kiltie Drum and Bugle Corps. The Kilties are the oldest, all-female, uniformed Scottish Drum and Bugle Corps in the nation. After the parade (which usually lasts about an hour), The Molly Ringwalds, an ‘80s tribute band will perform a free concert immediately following the parade.
We haven't even mentioned Paw Patrol, FLW fishing legend Charlie Evans, or the Irish Elvis impersonators, the world's tallest leprechaun, quirky floats, a marching band, or the Irish belly dancers! EVERYBODY is Irish in Hot Springs on St. Patrick's Day! Don't forget to pack something green (the more outrageous, the better you'll fit in!), and join us in Hot Springs for the short parade with the really long name!! You're not going to want to miss a minute of this fun, and remember that many of our neighboring states are on spring break that week, so plan your Arkansas getaway soon!