LONG BEACH ISLAND – Long Beach Township was abuzz with excitement as over 5,000 people braved the sweltering August heat to witness the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales parade on Ocean Boulevard. With their regal presence and gleaming coats, the majestic horses were the centerpiece of a day filled with awe, history, and a heartfelt cause.
Nine-year-old Amelia Bujniewicz of Plymouth Rock, Pennsylvania, could barely contain her enthusiasm while waiting for the horses to arrive. Amelia’s grandmother is a full-time Beach Haven West resident, and the two came early to secure a prime viewing spot. They were third to set up a chair on 68th Street at 8:40 a.m. – more than two hours than the projected start time.
“I researched the Clydesdales on Google,” said a proud Amelia. “I can’t wait to see the horses with the special things on their feet and their hairstyles!”
Due to bridge traffic and the complex process of unloading the massive animals, the parade didn’t kick off until nearly 1 p.m., much to the growing impatience of the thousands gathered along Ocean Boulevard. The heat was unbearable, and some neighbors brought out cold bottles of water to share with the crowd.
When the Clydesdales finally appeared, the eight magnificent creatures towering over onlookers was everything Amelia and the rest of the crowd had hoped for and more. Their glossy coats shimmered in the sunlight, and their powerful strides commanded attention.
Standing at an impressive 18 hands (about 6 feet) at the shoulders and weighing up to 2,200 pounds, the Clydesdales are more than just showpieces – they are living legends. A narrator highlighted each horse’s role in pulling the 1903 Studebaker wagon, which, though partially restored, still bore the weight and history of its original purpose.
Brandon, the largest horse, took the wheel position, tasked with pulling the heaviest load, while the lighter, more agile horses led the team.
As the horses were carefully hitched to the wagon, the narrator shared the rich history and significance of the Clydesdales in American culture. Bred originally in Scotland’s Clyde Valley, these horses are known for their strength, endurance, and gentle temperament. These Clydesdales are part of Budweiser’s East Coast hitch, based in Boonville, Missouri, where the horses are bred and trained. It takes years of careful preparation for a Clydesdale to join the traveling hitch, starting from their early days at Warm Springs Ranch.
The criteria for joining the hitch are strict: the horses must have a bay body color, a white blaze, black mane and tail, and iconic white feathers on their legs.
The Budweiser Clydesdales have been a symbol of the brand since 1933 when they first paraded to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. Since then, they have become ambassadors of tradition, drawing crowds wherever they go.
But the day was about more than just the horses. The parade was also an opportunity to highlight the longstanding partnership between Anheuser-Busch and Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders.
Emma Natale, co-owner of Ritchie & Page Distributing Company, Inc. alongside her father, Chris Natale, took center stage to present a $5,000 donation to Maria Steiger of the local Folds of Honor chapter.
“Along with our partners at Anheuser-Busch, we have supported Folds of Honor for the last 14 years,” said Emma. “And contributed to the organization by granting over 5000 scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders.”
Two professional hitchdrivers took the reins for the run, also featuring Lulu, an 18-month-old Dalmatian, who charmed the crowd. Dalmatians have a long history with the Clydesdales, originally serving as carriage dogs that protected the horses and wagon.
“We brought the Clydesdales to Long Beach Island because it’s such a community-oriented place,” said Emma. “We thought it would be a really nice way to bring all these awesome people together.”
