World-renowned Budweiser Clydesdales to appear in Warwick on Sept. 28

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, in conjunction with Dana Distributors, Inc., will make an appearance at the 104th Orange County Volunteers Fireman Parade/150th Warwick Valley Fire Department celebration at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The Clydesdales have served as the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933. The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed to the famous red beer wagon at 1 p.m. for the parade lineup. The parade begins at 2 p.m.

The Clydesdales’ appearance in Warwick is one of hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800s. 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, 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.

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, Missouri, Merrimack, New Hampshire and Fort Collins, Colorado. 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, Missouri.

Dana Distributors was founded by Frederick C. Dana Sr. and Helen Dana in 1970.