BIGGEST LITTLE PARADE: a documentary by Michael Ferrara

THE BIGGEST LITTLE PARADE YOU'VE EVER SEEN.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

Hi, I'm Michael Ferrara. I started working on this documentary project in 2019. It's time to finish it.

Six years ago, I stumbled upon the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade — armed with nothing but a camera and an idea. I had no clue that moment would spark the beginning of a much larger story than I could’ve imagined. Over the course of filming, my life has changed in ways I never expected while chasing this dream. But this documentary has been the one constant in my life, and I’m so proud to be able to bring it across the finish line.

Biggest Little Parade is a documentary about community. It’s a story about people who come together to make something happen, even when it feels like the world around them might be telling them they’re too small to make a difference. It’s a story about joy, passion, and the little moments that make a big impact. Through the course of being with this story, a lot has happened to the parade and to the people who put it together. This is a coming-of-age story about the growth, perseverance, and spirit of a community that takes having fun very seriously.

This documentary is my labor of love. I invite you to be part of this journey — to help us share this story with the world.

STYLE AND TONE

A mix of Parks and Rec charm, The Office awkwardness, and the quirky humor of Waiting for Guffman — we're making a documentary that’s grounded in community but filled with heart and humor. It’s a story that’s both small in scale but large in heart, and we want you to be a part of it.

ABOUT THE PARADE

From the official website:

In 2004, The First Ever First Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on March 17, 2004 and it made St. Patrick's Day history! A few thousand people gathered for fun and Irish shenanigans in the heart of America’s First Resort and it became a St. Patrick's Day tradition in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.

Over the years, other groups have challenged the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, claiming they had shorter parades. However, research has shown, none of these parades can compete with the 98-foot parade on Bridge Street. One challenger wasn’t so much a parade, but really just a bunch of people wandering around in a city park! The Hot Springs parade organizers have remained firm, that the title would remain in Hot Springs even if the participants of the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade have to march in place — or even march backwards — to keep its designation as World’s Shortest.

Over the years the crowd has grown to more than 30,000 people, and new traditions have been added. In 2005, the parade had the first Celebrity Grand Marshal, and in 2006, The Arkansas Blarney Stone, reportedly discovered by a leprechaun in the forests that surround Hot Springs, was placed in front of the Hot Springs Convention Center. The Blarney Stone now serves as the location of the annual Blarney Stone Kissing Contest. In 2008, a Parade King and Queen were added to the official lineup. Kings and Queens are selected annually by a secret committee of the original parade organizers, and in 2014 the parade included the First Parade Starter.

While a lot has changed and evolved for The World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, the parade organizers re-measure Bridge Street prior to every parade to ensure, the 98-foot parade, remains the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade.

We’re raising $25,000 to cover the remaining production costs and the vital work that’s ahead:

MEET THE TEAM

Michael with 2023's parade starter Christopher McDonald.

Michael Ferrara - Director, Executive Producer, Cinematographer

Michael Ferrara is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker with over 10 years of experience working in the industry. In 2018, he graduated with an MFA in Film from UCA with an emphasis on Cinematography and Directing. However, for the last 6 years he has worked in public media and educational non-fiction filmmaking at Arkansas PBS where he has worked on various award-winning children’s programming, documentaries and multimedia educational productions. In his spare time, he primarily works as an independent documentarian, photographer and film producer.

Molly Wheat - Producer

Molly Wheat is a Central Arkansas-based director and producer of several award-winning films, such as Call Me When You Can. Her latest documentary film, Ozark Wabi, is currently on the festival circuit. She joined the Biggest Little Parade team in 2025 and is excited to help Michael complete the film.

PARADE CAMERA TEAM

Eliot Peterson

Craig Wynn

Daniel Nansel

Cole Lansden

Ben Ellis

Jennifer Gibson