Hundreds turn out for Clydesdales

The Budweiser Clydesdales stole the show at the Great American Summer parade in Dewey Beach July 24.

Clydesdale Ambassador Nick Green said the eight-horse hitch visiting Dewey is one of three traveling teams.

“Other horses are trained for commercial tasks like kicking a football,” Green said.

Green said each horse weighs about a ton, carries an additional 135 pounds of tack and can pull twice its body weight.

The Clydesdales first appeared in 1933, when August A. Busch Jr. and Adolphus Busch purchased two, six-horse hitches for their father to celebrate the repeal of prohibition. In 1950, Dalmatians joined the team.

“Dalmatians became the mascot of the Clydesdales,” Green said. “They’re traditionally hitch and carriage dogs; they guarded the team of horses and drivers during deliveries.”

Sponsored by Dewey Business Partnership and the Town of Dewey Beach, the parade showcased local businesses, organizations and town departments.

The parade concluded with a bayside bonfire and party on Van Dyke Avenue.