The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several public appearances in the area this month.
The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon at the following public events:
- Wednesday, November 20, 9-11 a.m. at Sunsphere Welcome Center Grand Opening
- Thursday, November 21, 4-6 p.m. – WIVK 107.7 Holidays with the Clydesdales & Folds of Honor Celebration at Foothills Mall, 197 Foothills Mall Drive, Maryville.
- Friday, November 22, 4-6 p.m. at Food City Holidays with the Clydesdales & Folds of Honor Celebration at Food City Centre at Deane Hill, 284 Morrell Road, in West Knoxville.
A single horse will also make the following public appearance:
- Saturday, November 23, 4-6 p.m. at Total Wine and More, 11370 Parkside Drive, Suite 2400, in Farragut.
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 daily.
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 Brewery and Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, Missouri. They also may be viewed at Warm Springs Ranch, the 300-plus-acre Clydesdale breeding farm located near Boonville, Montana.
