Entrants are reminded that this parade enjoys a unique, quirky reputation as a fun event celebrating the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.  Each entry must be entertaining, energetic, original and unusual.  Each entry must be themed for St. Patrick’s Day!  All submissions will be judged by members of the Parade Committee prior to acceptance in the parade.  Only the best 40 will be accepted.  All entries must submit a photo or rough drawing of their entry for judging in addition to exact lengths, number of participants, and plan for decoration.  It’s the only way we can judge your entry for approval!

1. The primary contact/applicant shall be responsible for the conduct of all of its participants and agrees to notify all participants of these rules and regulations.  The primary contact is in charge of the entry from date of acceptance until the end of the parade – be sure you are ready for this BIG JOB!  

2. Parade entry registration shall only be accepted online via a completed Official 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Entry Registration Google Form.  Entry deadline is the earlier of the two: 5 PM March 1, 2024 or when 40 approved entries have been received.  No late registrations are accepted on parade day. The better your entry and the earlier you submit, the better your chances are for approval!

3. The parade will be kept to a maximum of 40 entries – once 40 entries are approved by the Parade Committee, no other applicants will be accepted.

4. The parade will start at 6:30 PM. We strongly encourage adding lights to your design – they add so much, and we want the parade goers to see all the hard work you put into the entry.  Lights aren’t required, but they are awesome!!  Illuminate yourself!

5. Parade participants are strictly prohibited from participating in any form of political campaigning in conjunction with the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, including but not limited to the display of any political campaign signs, buttons, t-shirts and literature.  We believe in voting, we simply don’t want our event to become a political platform. It’s about fun! 

6. No unit whose sole purpose, as determined by the Parade Committee, is for advertising will be allowed to participate in the parade.

7. Every entry must have an Irish theme and be decorated in Irish colors.  Entrants that do not observe the theme will not be allowed to participate in the parade.  All participants must be costumed. Wearing an Irish t-shirt does not constitute a costume!  Keep your entry fun and entertaining for the crowd. Besides, if you’re not wearing green...well, you know what happens.

8. No walking/marching groups allowed. Each entry must be either a float or a performing group. Performances on Bridge Street must be less than 60 seconds. Abide by the 60 second rule.  

9. Each float or motorized entry may have no more than 10 walkers with their entry.  Some may be limited to fewer walkers – all walkers must be costumed! No exceptions! The number of riders on each float or motorized entry is up to the applicant.  However, the number must be a SAFE number.   

10. All riding participants must be a critical part of the theme of the entry.  Riding participants will not be permitted to jump off and on entries while the parade is in progress. Those on the float or vehicle must remain on the float or vehicle.  Those on the ground must remain on the ground. If a Parade Committee Member feels a participant is riding in an unsafe manner or on an unsafe location on the float or vehicle, the participant must move from that location or risk being ineligible for future parade participation.  Please obey the Parade Committee Members – we are all about SAFETY FIRST!

11. Performing groups are not limited in number of participants.  However, you need to submit your final number of participants at time of application submission.

12. Only very few, very special cars/trucks/motorcycles will be approved for parade participation.  All must be decorated to an Irish theme – highly decorated and fun – not just because the vehicle is green, or decorated with a few green stickers. Vehicles not pulling floats must pass strict guidelines for inclusion in the parade and be approved by the parade committee as relevant to the St. Patrick’s Day Holiday.  Motorized group entries cannot exceed 10, no exceptions. Some may be asked to limit their number to even less than 10 due to the length of Bridge Street; therefore be prepared to get approval from the parade committee for the actual number of motorized vehicles you will be allowed in your entry. Please note that motorized entries MUST maintain a stead rate of speed throughout the parade.  No gunning of engines, sudden accelerations, etc.

13. All Performing Groups not on a float must be preceded by a banner, carried by at least two people, announcing the name of the group.

14. No Pageant or Beauty Queen winners will be allowed to participate.  No crowns, sashes, queens, princesses, Miss, Mrs., Ms., or Mr.s.  The only exception is Miss Arkansas who has been participating since the first year of the parade. No exceptions.

15. You must provide exact measurements of your entry, plus all included vehicles in advance. This is critical for the staging area and to be certain your entry will fit on the parade route.  There is a limit of size, length and height, due to the use of City Streets for the parade.  No entry that exceeds 12 feet tall will be permitted to parade down Bridge Street.  You must get prior approval of the size of your entry, including length and height, if you are approved for participation.  No changes to number of vehicles or measurement of entries will be accepted after March 10th.

16. Entries are allowed to use their own sound systems, for music only, but not on Bridge Street – parade’s sound system will be the only sound on Bridge Street.  No mics, no announcing, no talking over the sound system at any time. 
 
17. For safety reasons, entries are forbidden to use fog/smoke machines and confetti canons without prior approval.
 
18. Participant Staging Location, Entry Number Information and Parade Map will be given at participant meetings prior to the parade. All other correspondence will be done by e-mail.
 
19. Drivers and all vehicles participating in the parade must have insurance as required by the State of Arkansas.  Drivers must also possess a valid driver’s license.  Drivers are NOT permitted to toss items from their vehicle – their job is to drive, not to throw beads or other items.
 
20. Owner must follow up with their vehicle’s manufacturer to confirm that the vehicle entered in the parade has not been identified to have mechanical defects.  The owner warrants that the vehicle is in sound mechanical condition with no known defects or safety concerns

21. A Parade Committee Member will be on duty in each staging area as well as at various locations along the parade route to insure the smooth and orderly progression of the set up and the parade.  Parade Committee Members will have the authority to remove any entry causing a delay, violating official parade rules, or failing to cooperate.  If you refuse to move along as directed by the Committee Members you risk becoming ineligible to participate in future parades.  Please be cooperative.

22. Parade line-up and staging will open at 12:00 PM March 17th, 2024. Line up will be  in the north parking lot of the Transportation Depot.  All must be in position in their assigned spaces and ready by 4:00 PM. Parade begins moving at 6 PM. Entries may not request location in the lineup.  All line up decisions will be made by the Parade Committee. 

23. The parade will promptly begin at 6:30 PM, March 17, 2024, from the staging area described above. If you are not ready to roll out when the Parade Committee Member signals it’s your turn, you are immediately eliminated from the parade.  You must be ready to go as scheduled.

24. Because space is given based on the submitted entry forms, units may not change their entry without prior approval. Changes in your entry without notification to the committee may be disqualified from participation. Approved entries will be contacted following approval for a complete list of motorized vehicles, floats, and their sizes.  Only those submitted and approved can be used in the parade.  No additions allowed after approval.

25. All entries must check-in upon arrival with a Parade Committee Member and be directed to their assigned staging area.  All entries must keep a representative with the entry at all times within the assigned staging area. Only those vehicles actually in the parade are allowed in the staging area.

26. Any approved entry that must cancel their participation in the parade, must contact Alexis Hampo as soon as possible so that line-up changes may be handled promptly.

27. The use prior to and/or possession during the parade of any alcoholic beverage, by any unit/entry member, is strictly forbidden. If a Parade Committee Member observes behavior that may be related to alcohol consumption that affected unit will be disqualified from participation in the parade.

28. Under no circumstances shall any participants, or entries move to a different position within the parade line-up, before or during the parade, except under the direction of a Parade Committee Member.  

29. Proper unit spacing and parade pace is critical.  Parade speed will maintain approximately four (4) feet per second.  Voluntary stopping for drill formation, reverse marching by bands or drill teams cannot exceed 45 seconds. Don’t stop. Keep moving.

30. Participants riding in vehicles or trailers must provide their own vehicles and drivers.  Insurance and liability are the sole responsibility of participants.

31. Support vehicles for marching/performing groups will not be allowed in the parade.  
 
32. Parade participants are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous and safe manner.

33. Candy and beads may be SAFELY given or tossed (never throw overhanded) to the parade spectators.  Candy and beads MUST be tossed over the barricades.  Any participants caught throwing candy or objects in the intent to harm any person or group, will be asked to exit the parade and may disqualify their entry from the parade float contest, if applicable.  Do not throw heavy items that could potentially hurt another. Drivers of vehicles can NOT toss candy, beads, or other items.  Safety is a priority – drivers must concentrate only on driving!!!

34. These rules are subject to change on short notice.  Advance notice will be given appropriately.  Failure to comply with the parade rules will result in unit member or entire unit (entry) removal from the parade (even if in progress) and/or future participation banning.

35. Failure to follow the 2024 rules may cause exclusion from participation in all future parades.  We have excluded participants … please follow the rules so we don’t have to exclude you!!

36. MOST IMPORTANT RULE – HAVE FUN!!!!!