The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Del Papa Distributing Company will sponsor the world-famous, eight-horse Budweiser Clydesdale hitch at a number of appearances in Port Arthur, between Feb. 10-15. The Clydesdales, which have served as a symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to lead a number of parades during the upcoming Southeast Texas Mardi Gras and will make their temporary home at the Southeast Texas Mardi Gras Float Den on Proctor Street.

The Clydesdales’ scheduled appearances in Port Arthur, Texas are as follows:

• Tuesday, Feb. 10 – On view for media at the Float Den all day.
• Wednesday, Feb. 11 – Special beer delivery to one lucky local winner’s home, time and location to be announced.

  Media invited.

• Thursday, Feb. 12 – Leading the Lamar State College Port Arthur Parade down Lakeshore Drive from 6 – 7 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 13 – Leading the Krewe of Krewes Parade down Proctor Street from 7 – 9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 14 – Leading the Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade down Proctor Street from 6 – 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb, 15 - Leading the Truck Parade down Proctor Street from 4 – 6 p.m.

“The Budweiser Clydesdales are an American institution and embody the spirit and tradition of Mardi Gras,” said Larry Del Papa, president of Del Papa Distributing Company.

“We are proud to bring these two-ton beauties to Southeast Texas Mardi Gras for six days of parading and reveling.”

The public and local media are invited to view and photograph the signature Budweiser Clydesdales during all of the above events. Clydesdale trainers and representatives will be available for photos and interviews at the media day Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Float Den. The Enhanced Stable Experience at the Float Den will highlight the pride and heritage of the iconic Clydesdales through video and digital content and includes a behind-the-scenes look at caring for these majestic horses.

Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser Clydesdales make hundreds of appearances each year. The Clydesdales are an American icon and one of the world’s most recognized corporate symbols. For 80 years, the Clydesdales have embodied the Budweiser brand heritage, serving faithfully as ambassadors of the Great American Lager, and icons of American Industry.

To qualify for a hitch, a Clydesdale must be a gelding at least four years of age, stand 72 inches at the shoulder when fully mature, weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds, have a bay coat, a blaze of white on the face, four white legs, and a black mane and tail.

About the Budweiser Clydesdales

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.

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.

Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch must be geldings at least four years of age, stand approximately 18 hands - or six feet - at the shoulder, weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 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 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.

Budweiser Clydesdale traveling hitches are based in St. Louis and Boonville, Missouri; and Merrimack, New Hampshire.

The Budweiser Clydesdales may be viewed at the following Anheuser-Busch breweries: St. Louis, Missouri; Merrimack, New Hampshire; and Ft.

Collins, Colorado and seasonally at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, MO.

Pictured above is a Budweiser Clydesdales eight-horse hitch.