HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (KTHV) - For the first time since 2012, the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn fell on the same day as the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Hot Springs. The combination made for epic crowds and traffic, but that only added to the party.
On Saturday, Oaklawn announced attendance of 37,500 – the highest ever for the Rebel Stakes weekend.
While there was no official count released Saturday, March 17, for the First Ever 15th Annual Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one longtime volunteer estimated more than 40,000 people were in attendance as celebrities and locals alike made their way down the 98-foot parade route on Bridge Street.
“The favorite parts of the parade? To see the grand master,” one attendee said. “I like Joey…. NSYNC, yes.”
Grand marshal Joey Fatone was joined by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, parade starter Jon Heder, known for his role in “Napoleon Dynamite.” The legendary Budweiser Clydesdales were also in the parade.
“It’s awesome. We’ve been here since 3:00,” one Hot Springs resident said. “Everybody comes out and has a good time.”