Call it concise. Succinct. Truncated.
To Bill Solleder, those descriptions aren’t insults; they’re music to his event-planning ears organizing the First Ever 23rd Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“We’ve hosted the world’s largest potato, the world’s smallest car, dancing grandmothers, bagpipers and more,” he beamed.
For those confused by the name, let’s break it down: the event is the first-of-its-kind, now in its twenty-third year, coming in at just 98-feet-long.
“We measure the parade route each year with a tape measure so it’s official,” Solleder said. “We do it just to make sure we haven’t expanded or shrunk.”
A Brief St. Paddy’s Day Parade History Lesson:
In 2003, several friends got together to enjoy a few pints at a German pub on Bridge Street – the world’s shortest street in everyday use. While brainstorming ideas to draw visitors to Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Irish descendant in the group proposed the St. Paddy’s Day Parade idea. On March 17, 2004, a few thousand people gathered for the inaugural bit of shenanigans and the idea stuck.
Today, the event has grown to 30,000 spectators watching 40 entries, each with their own play-on music, occurring in just one hour.
“We’re pushing them through pretty quickly,” Solleder said. “It’s almost like a concert; and it definitely is a show.”
Regions Bank associates in Hot Springs participated for the first time this year. The experience was meaningful to Forrest Spicher in his role as a Commercial Banking relationship manager and the area’s market executive – but especially so as a Hot Springs native.
“Growing up, my dad often told me how special Bridge Street is because of its shortest distinction,” said Spicher. “Being part of this community tradition brought back those wonderful childhood memories. I’m so incredibly proud our team could be part of creating that same nostalgic experience for spectators this year.”
“Having Regions in the parade is also great because your branch is right where the parade ends,” added Solleder. “It shows you are embedded in the Hot Springs community.”
Having Regions in the parade is also great because your branch is right where the parade ends. It shows you are embedded in the Hot Springs community.
Bill Solleder
Solleder’s first parade experience involved helping construct a float he rode with friends three decades ago. Today, as the director of Marketing with Visit Hot Springs, he determines which floats make the cut in this event nationally known for its fun-size stature.
Many candidates fall short.
“We get numerous entries that just don’t get accepted,” Solleder said. “This is more than pulling a trailer with a pick-up truck. The more creative, the better. It’s about getting in the spirit of it and lots of green.”
Cue the Regions Big Bike.
While the festivities deliver big-time entertainment for attendees, they’re serious business requiring no shortcuts for Solleder and team.
“Everything looks so good on paper; it’s about translating that to real life,” he said. “We are also heavily focused on safety. We want folks to focus on having a good time.”
And then, there’s the one thing event planners can’t control: the weather. Believe it or not, there’s never been a rainout.
“We’ve had dark skies and then right as we started, they’ve turned blue,” Solleder said. “I guess the luck of the Irish has come to us.”
While the parade passes by quickly, Solleder knows it delivers something more lasting: community pride and identity.
“It’s a sense of place not only for Bridge Street but Hot Springs,” said Solleder. “New Orleans is Mardi Gras; we’re St. Paddy’s Day.”
A message he shares all year long.
“I would like the entire city, the entire state, the entire nation to see this quirky little parade that has become world famous,” he said.
Next year’s planning essentially starts as soon as the last act finishes.
“We are literally reserving permits and hotel rooms on March 18,” said Solleder.
Something he doesn’t mind one bit.
“Yes, it’s work, but it’s fun,” Solleder said.
Long story short, he knows it’s the best gig ever.
