Ballincollig To ‘Let It Go’ As Hundreds Of Princess Elsas Look To Take Over St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The little cork town of Ballincollig in Ireland just can’t “let it go” when it comes to Disney’s Frozen. Last year, its parade featured 3,000 participants and attracted approximately 15,000 spectators on St. Patrick’s Day.

For March 17, the town is determined to have the most princess Elsas in a single place. Sorry, St. Patrick, it looks like you’ve been replaced this year.

But what would inspire a small Irish community to pull off such feat? Here’s what Emer Cassidy, chairperson of the Ballincollig Business Association, told the Irish Examiner.

“We try to do something different every year and this year, we’ve been amazed at the response to our call for Elsas. We don’t think anyone has tried this before so we’re going to try to claim the world record whatever happens.”

This sure to be record-setting feat will come a few days after Disney debuts the animated short Frozen Fever in front of its new film Cinderella. Based on the hit film Frozen, a property that mushroomed from being just a cute, little princess movie to a pop culture phenomenon, Frozen Fever brings back characters Kristoff, Sven, Elsa, Anna, and comic relief Olaf, the snowman who never seems to melt. (Perhaps Frosty the Snowman needs Olaf’s agent; he’d get more onscreen appearances that way.) Bolstered by a hit soundtrack of catchy songs (including Idina Menzel’s “Let It Go”), Frozen would gross in excess of $1.2 billion. That places it fifth all-time in total box office earnings and first for animated features.

Yeah, you knew Disney wouldn’t waste time in getting something Frozen-related into theaters. No way they would “let it go.”

Frozen Fever, a title that sounds like Frozen directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee are keenly aware of the film’s popularity worldwide, centers on a surprise birthday party for Anna. The trailer, which debuted back in February, hints at a new original song that is sure to be a hit with audiences.

From hundreds of Elsas in Ireland to Frozen Fever it is apparent that Disney is looking to add to the Frozen phenomenon. This includes dresses, toys and even a Broadway musical. There was an indication as far back as January 2014 that the animated film would become a stage production on Broadway.

Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of the Disney Theatrical Group, told The Hollywood Reporter that he’s been planning a Frozen musical since before the original Frozen film even opened. But he’s not rushing the film to stage translation.

“My job is to corral the writers of the movie. I’m already talking to directors, and I have a design concept, and we have to begin to fashion this idea. It doesn’t need to be fast. It needs to be great.”

As you can tell, the song “Let It Go” is a powerful force. It’s hard to quantify, really. It’s about female empowerment, yes. But for the town of Ballincollig it’s a way to achieve a goal that will probably set a Guinness world record. Who but the folks at Disney could have expected this? Once they viewed Princess Elsa singing “Let It Go” from the animated snow-capped mountaintops they knew they had something special.