2,000 Leprechauns Are Taking Over Downtown Springdale This Weekend

Downtown Springdale goes full green this Saturday when the St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Leprechaun Race takes over Turnbow Park, Shiloh Square, and Spring Creek itself.

THE DEETS

📅 Saturday, March 14, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
📍 Walter Turnbow Park at Shiloh Square, 106 West Emma, Springdale, AR 72764
🎟️ FREE | $10 per leprechaun duck sponsorship
🔗 More info | Sponsor Your Leprechauns!   

Get Your Green On

Your afternoon kicks off at noon with an Irish Dance Demonstration by Rince Arkansas Academy of Irish Dance. Head straight to the Information Booth in Shiloh Square right after — that’s where you pick up your Scavenger Hunt game form and get details on the Sidewalk Art Contest. No pre-registration needed for either one. At 1 p.m., bring your dog dressed in its St. Patrick’s Day best for the Pet Leprechaun Costume Contest. Face painting, live music, and giveaways run throughout the afternoon, with prizes for the scavenger hunt, art contest, and pet costume contest along the way.

Duck, Duck, $1,000

The main event hits at 2 p.m. when over 2,000 rubber leprechaun ducks race down a green Spring Creek. Sponsor a duck for $10 for your shot at the prizes — first place takes home $1,000, second place wins $500, and third place earns $250. Ducks are available day-of while supplies last, so sponsoring ahead of time is the safer bet.

While you’re at the Information Booth, ask about full-size leprechauns for sale (limited quantity, first come, first served) and mini leprechauns at $5 each. Leprechaun hats are also on sale for around $5.

The Parade Keeps It Going

Once the last duck crosses the finish line, head over to the Odd Soul for NWA’s Shortest Parade — a march straight to Bauhaus Biergarten starting around 2:45 p.m.

Good Fun for a Good Cause

Your duck sponsorship goes directly toward Springdale Rotary’s community programs: a Third Grade Literacy Project, college and workforce scholarships, Christmas food baskets, and neighborhood book and food pantries. If you’d like to get more involved, event sponsorships are available for $200 — sponsors can hang banners over Spring Creek and set up a booth in Shiloh Square.

Springdale Rotary puts on a good afternoon, and this one gives you plenty of reasons to show up. Whether you’re chasing prize money, cheering on your dog, or just soaking up the spring weather in Downtown Springdale, this one’s for you.