WORLD FAMOUS BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES TO

APPEAR IN MARQUETTE AREA JULY 4TH!

courtesy Griffin Beverage Company

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Marquette, MI - The world famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several appearances in the area, arriving on July 1^st, including one at the Marquette 4^th of July Parade.
 

The eight-horse Hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon beginning on July 3^rd for the Ishpeming Festival of Treasures from noon to 2 pm, then at the parade in Marquette on July 4th from 2:00 to 4:00.  On July 5th, the “Gentle Giants,” as they are often referred to, will participate in the Gwinn Fun Daze Centennial Parade at 10 a.m.  From there, they will hitch at the Lakeview Sports Complex and travel to the Mattson Lower Harbor Park from noon to 2 pm, on July 6^th.  All appearances are weather permitting.

The ten-horse team will be housed at the Lakeview Sports Complex, Olson Arena on Fair Ave, in Marquette.  When not at the various parades, the horses will be available for public viewing each day beginning July 2^nd from 9 am to 5 pm and from 9 am until 9 pm, July 3^rd through July 6^th.  There is no cost to tour the portable stable set up. 

The Clydesdales’ appearance in Marquette area is one of 300 made annually by the five traveling hitches.  Canadians of Scottish decent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800’s.  Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show.

Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch must be at least three years of age, stand approximately 18 hands - or six feet - at the shoulder, weight an average of 2000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white stockings, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail.  A gentle temperament is very important, as hitch horses often meet millions of people each year.

A single Clydesdale hitch horse will consume as much as 20-25 quarts of feed, 40-50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.

Each hitch travels with a Dalmatian dog.  In the early days of brewing, Dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries.

Griffin Beverage Company, the local Anheuser-Busch distributor in Marquette County, requested the World Famous Clydesdale Hitch for these appearances and was delighted to be chosen to host these special events.

Budweiser Clydesdale traveling hitches are based in St. Louis, MO, Menifee, CA, San Antonio, TX, San Diego, CA and Merrimack, NH.  The Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at the following Anheuser-Busch breweries:  St. Louis, MO, Merrimack, NH, and Ft. Collins, CO.  Also Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, MO and at the following Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks:  Busch Gardens Tampa, FL, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA, Sea World San Diego, CA, Sea World Orlando, FL and Sea World, TX.