The world famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition of Anheuser-Busch since 1933, will be appearing in Margate on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. The eight-horse team will be harnessed and hitched to the famous glistening red Budweiser beer wagon on the beach block of Cedar Grove Avenue in front of the Island House condominium building. The public is invited to witness this painstakingly delicate process between 2 and 3 p.m. before the horses make their way around a small circuit on the streets of Margate from 3 to 4 p.m.
From Cedar Grove Avenue beach block the hitch will travel south towards Longport and turn right onto Washington Avenue and proceed to Ventnor Avenue and make another right turn. The hitch will stop for photos in front of the Historical Society building on Washington Avenue and around the corner in front of Fire Station No. 1 on Ventnor Avenue. The Clydesdales will make their way down Ventnor Avenue toward the parkway and turn right on Cedar Grove Avenue and head back towards the beach block where they will be unharnessed at the completion of their appearance.
The Clydesdales’ appearance in Margate is one of several made annually by the traveling hitches who appear in select areas from coast to coast. It is a rare opportunity to have them in the Downbeach area for a team that performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade, the St. Louis Cardinals opening day, and Daytona Beach Bike Week this year alone. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800’s. Today, the giant, muscular draft horses (bred for hauling or plowing farms) are used primarily for breeding and shows like the one coming to Margate.
Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least 3 years old, stand approximately 18 hands – or 6 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 single Clydesdale will consume as much as 20-25 quarts of feed, 40-50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day. Local residents and visitors to Margate should take the opportunity to appreciate these beautiful creatures up close during this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. (Please note that specific weather conditions must be met for the safety of the Clydesdales and their ability to appear).
