Budweiser Clydesdales Back On For Lawrenceville Parade

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — The on-again, off-again relationship between the Budweiser Clydesdales and Lawrenceville's first Christmas parade is on again.

City officials have announced that, after withdrawing from the December 2 parade, the famous horses have found a way to make it to Lawrenceville after all.

"Anheuser-Busch had a cancellation with their West Coast team and immediately recognized the opportunity to honor their commitment to the Atlanta market that first week in December," said Andrew Lorimer, Director of Marketing for Eagle Rock Distributing Company, in a news release. "We are grateful for their decision and look forward to bringing the Clydesdales, as promised, to Lawrenceville for the Holidays."

The Clydesdales had been announced as a highlight of the parade, which will step off at 7 p.m. in downtown Lawrenceville.

But early this month, Budweiser announced that the team had been pulled and moved to the New York market for the holiday season.

At the time, Anheuser-Busch said it would work together with Eagle Rock to eventually get a team to each of several Southern communities snubbed by the decision.

"We appreciate the continued partnership between Anheuser-Busch, Eagle Rock and the City of Lawrenceville," said city manager Chuck Warbington. "This decision reaffirms the strength of that relationship and we could not be more pleased with the news."

On April 7, 1933, August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III surprised their father, August A. Busch, Sr., with the gift of a six-horse Clydesdale hitch to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition, the company says.

The company soon bought a second six-horse hitch of Clydesdales and began using the horses, drawing a beer wagon, in their promotions.

One of their first officials duties was delivering a case of Budweiser to former New York Gov. Alfred E. Smith in appreciation of his years of service in the fight against Prohibition.

Today, Anheuser-Busch owns approximately 250 Clydesdales.

Lawrenceville's Christmas parade will run down Perry Street on the square, then east on Crogan Street and south on Chestnut Street, where it will conclude.

Lawrenceville's Hometown Christmas also will feature Santa Claus, more than 40 community floats, Christmas activities on the square and an after-party at McCray's Tavern.

Photo courtesy Anheuser-Busch