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 on March 6-12, including one at Holiday Park in conjunction with the City of Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival and Hollywood’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival that weekend.

The Clydesdales will be in their stables for photo opportunities and interviews at Holiday Park on March 8 and 9 from 10am to 6pm.  On March 11 & 12, the “Gentle Giants,” as they are often referred to, will participate in the local parades - The City of Fort Lauderdale Saint Patrick’s Day Parade (March 11) and Hollywood’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival (March 12) – harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon. The Fort Lauderdale parade begins at 12pm, and the Hollywood parade begins at 1pm.

 Wednesday, March 8 – Holiday Park

10am-6pm - Photo Opportunities and Interviews

800 NE 8th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

 Thursday, March 9 – Holiday Park

10am-6pm - Photo Opportunities and Interviews

800 NE 8th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Saturday, March 11– Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park

Starts at 12PM - The City of Fort Lauderdale Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

80 Las Olas Cir., Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316

Sunday, March 12 - Downtown Hollywood

Starts at 1PM - Hollywood’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival

The Clydesdales’ appearance in Fort Lauderdale is one of hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches.  Canadians of Scottish descent 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, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail.  A gentle temperament is very important as hitch horses 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.  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.

The Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at the Anheuser-Busch breweries in St. Louis, Mo.; Merrimack, N.H.; and Ft. Collins, Colo.  They also may be viewed at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis and at Warm Springs Ranch, the 300-plus acre Clydesdale breeding farm located near Boonville, Mo.