HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Organizers of the First Ever 21st Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® responded Saturday with a gentle reminder to Adamsville, R.I., about which city really has the shortest parade.
The reminder was issued in response to an article on the Internet that reported the Irish band Green Road would perform in Adamsville at what the town calls the World’s Shortest St. Paddy’s Day Parade.
“First off,” said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs and one of the founders of the Hot Springs phenomenon, “you’ll note that the Rhode Island town calls their event a ‘St. Paddy’s Day’ celebration. I need not explain to them that the Hot Springs parade is the ‘World’s Shortest St. PATRICK’S DAY Parade®.’ We don’t celebrate the Irish’s saint’s nickname day — we celebrate the real deal.”
“Second,” Arrison said, “we watched an online video of the Adamsville event, and we must say it is a touching little gathering. However, their event appears to be a stroll down the town’s street by hometown folks bundled up against the harsh Rhode Island climate, while the Hot Springs World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® celebrates the perfect Arkansas March weather. They do have a guy riding a lawnmower, but did they ever have TV star Mike Rowe of ‘Dirty Jobs’ fame riding a motorized commode? I say, no.
“Third, the Internet article made a big deal out of a five-piece band from Ireland playing a combination of traditional Irish music, bluegrass, folk tunes and the like. That’s really nice, but our parade features the Mountain Pine High School Marching Red Devil Band playing whatever they like. This band in Rhode Island is called Green Road. Let me point out that on Saturday, March 16, the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade® weekend begins with a free public concert by world-renowned music star PAT Green. Top that, Adamsville.
‘Fourth, I must point out that little ® symbol at the end of our parade’s name. That signifies that an official agency of the United States Government has officially recognized our claim to the title.
“Fifth, and finally, I take note of the fact that the Adamsville folks stroll for 89 feet to stake their claim. I’ve pointed out many times in the past that our 98-foot length is flexible. Ninety-eight feet does happen to be the entire length of Bridge Street, the World’s Shortest Street in Everyday Use, according to Ripley’s Believe It or Not. However, we here in Hot Springs have responded to many challengers over the years by pointing out that we are perfectly willing to shorten our parade to whatever length it takes to retain our crown. We have also pointed out that our parade will march in place if necessary to keep the title. Heck, we’ll even march backwards if that’s what it takes.
“I hope that settles this non-issue.”
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.
