Latest news with #VisitHotSprings
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial coming to Hot Springs airport
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be on display at the Hot Springs Memorial Field Airport in May. The 360-foot-long wall will be on display from May 23 – 26. The display will be free and open to the public. Fallen Vietnam War veterans honored in Saline County ceremony Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said the America's Freedom Tribute wall is 80% as large as the original wall in Washington, D.C. 'The 80 percent replica wall provides communities with an incredible opportunity to pay respect to our veterans, honor the fallen, and remember the sacrifice made by so many in service of our great country,' America's Freedom Tribute spokesperson Kylah Doherty said. VIDEO: Little Rock World War II veteran celebrates her 100th birthday with parade The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., sits near the Lincoln Memorial. It names the 58,318 Americans who lost their lives in service during the Vietnam War. Arrison said more than 14,000 people visited the exhibit at the airport when it came in 2012. Arkansas radio host, veteran reflects on the battle both in Vietnam and after coming home Visit Hot Springs will join the Veterans of Valor Organization of Hot Springs, Hot Springs VFW Post 2278 and Hot Springs American Legion Post 2020 to bring the traveling tribute back to Hot Springs in May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Arkansas city boasts world's shortest St. Patrick's Day parade at 98 feet
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Cities like New York and Chicago boast some of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades, attracting thousands of revelers and plenty of green beer. But a city in Arkansas has gained popularity over the years with its parade for an entirely different reason. The city of Hot Springs, a resort town known for its mineral-rich waters, promotes its 98-foot route as the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade. For more than two decades the city has held the parade on Bridge Street downtown, and it's become one of its biggest draws. It's even gained the attention of celebrities who have participated in the annual, short event, including actress Valerie Bertinelli and rap icon Flavor Flav. How the parade began Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said the idea began in 2003 when he and a group of friends were at a downtown restaurant 'drinking adult beverages' and the topic of St. Patrick's Day came up. 'We got to talking and said, well, why don't we have a parade?' Arrison said. The parade began the following year and drew about 1,500 people. More than 30,000 people watch the parade each year, organizers say. What's a 98-foot parade like? For the world's shortest, the parade packs in a lot. They'll have 40 different floats, and participants will include 100 members of a group of Elvis Presley impersonators known as the International Order of the Marching Irish Elvi. Another float will feature the local chapter of the International Society of Helen Ropers, with participants dressed up as the character from the 1970s sitcom, 'Three's Company'. The parade has also featured a celebrity grand marshal and parade starter, and over the years has included familiar names such as actor Kevin Bacon, 'Cheers' star George Wendt and country music star Justin Moore. This year, Bertinelli will be the grand marshal and Flav will be the official starter. The parade even created its own green version of the signature clock necklace Flav, a founding member of Public Enemy, is known for wearing. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have also participated in the parade for the past several years. The parade includes other events, including a concert and a 'Blarney Stone kissing contest.' Before the parade begins Monday, there's an official measuring of the route. Other short parades Other parades have tried to lay claim to being the shortest in recent years, including two cities in New York that dueled over who had the shortest parade. Another 78-pace parade was planned in Bemidji, Minnesota on Monday. The Hot Springs parade's organizers also keep up a feud with another parade in Adamsville, Rhode Island that claims its 89-foot route is the shortest. But Arrison dismisses their claim, noting that city's parade is held on the day before St. Patrick's Day. Arrison also notes that the Hot Springs event has copyrighted the title 'World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade.'
