HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — There were big celebrations happening all around for those in attendance at the 21st annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade in Hot Springs.
The Spa City saw close to 30.000 people and there were even some very special guests from out of town.
Bill Solleder is a member of the parade's committee and explained how they hit a record number of people every year.
"I cannot see the end of the crowds. And it's deep, too," Solleder added.
Lots of green and lots of smiles filled Bridge Street and the surrounding streets in downtown Hot Springs.
"We had to actually order more barricades this year to handle the crowds," he described.
He also said that people started showing up as early as 8:00 a.m. the morning of the parade.
Forrie J. Smith from Yellowstone, former Dallas Cowboys player Emmit Smith, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, actress Joey Lauren Adams and even World Armwrestling champion "The Monster" Michael Todd were all special guests at the parade.
The event draws in people from all over the state too.
"We got to check out like the restaurants and bars and the spa this morning for the bathhouses, so we love it," said Val Holmes from Fayetteville.
"He got to take his first picture with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders," Tori Burks said.
To officially declare it the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, they brought out the tape measurer and measured Bridge Street at 98 feet.
While the distance may be short, the city's tourism season is not.
"It's one of the biggest weekends in Hot Springs. Spring break is in general. Starting at the beginning of March, we will stay busy through the fall. July, of course, is the biggest month," Solleder added.
Now, they're just looking forward to doing all this again next year.
"Put the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade on your bucket list," he said.
