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Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day |
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Monday, 24 March 2008 |
Irish-Americans are known for their penchant for frivolity, and most love a parade. Arkansans, particularly those living in the Central Arkansas area, had an opportunity to experience an authentic Irish celebration this past week when Hot Springs hosted its First Ever Fifth Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Members of the International Order of Irish Elvi participate in the parade. Both men and women were among the Elvis look-alikes.
This St. Patrick’s parade is held on what Ripley’s Believe It or Not has designated the “Shortest Street in the World.” The parade route is possibly among the shortest, but it is long on fun. Unique festivities include a gathering of the Irish Order of Elvi (a group of Elvis impersonators, both male and female), Irish wolfhounds, Irish belly dancers and green fireworks.  The St. Patrick’s Day shirt Jax Hopkins of Benton wears here is no greener than the water in this fountain on Central Street in Hot Springs. Turning the fountain water green on the holiday is a tradition.
Bridge Street, having earned distinction, prompted the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau to choose it as the most logical location for this novel parade.
Mike Rowe of the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs” show was the grand marshal for the event. Many Saline County residents attended and some took part in the parade. Members of Mini Kiss, the world’s shortest rock tribute band, ride in the First Ever Fifth Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Mini Kiss, which includes little people dressed like the iconic 1970s rockers, performed a free concert following the parade and fireworks exhibition.
Starting the procession were a bugler, a motorcycle brigade and an honor guard from the Hot Springs Fire Department led by a “leprechaun.”
The multitude of entries included miniature chickens, rescue animals, antique tractors, classic cars, a motorcycle decked out with shamrocks, Red Hatters, Latin dancers, barbershop singers and a variety of other individuals and groups. 
Among these were the Irish Pickles, a marching unit that included Grandma O’Gedney, Minnesota Cuke and Baby Dill; and a unit billed as “One Very Lucky Dog,” which was a white great Dane — a rescue animal — painted with a clover pattern.
Irish fun was had by all.
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