MARGATE – Thousands of people flocked to the city Thursday, to see the Budweiser Clydesdales march along the streets of Margate. The crowd size topped those of the presidential candidates numbering about 5,000 people, many of whom walked more than a mile and waited in the hot summer sun for more than an hour just waiting to snap a photo of the beloved symbol of the Anheuser-Busch company. The Fire Department responded to 15 calls for emergency medical services during the afternoon.
Randie Specter came all the way from Tampa, Florida, to watch the spectacle unfold. She found out the Clydesdales would be in town from her brother who lives in Longport, and she made the trip specifically to see the iconic horses and the wagon with a Dalmatian riding on top.
“I came because they are such a big part of Americana,” she said. “We see them in parades, on TV in commercials, and now I get to see them in person.”
Former Margate resident John Mohr made the trip to see the Clydesdales from his current home in Egg Harbor City.
“This is exciting, and I’m a Bud Light fan,” he said. “They are spectacular animals, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It even got me off the beach.”
Eight of the horses and the wagon arrived in three large tractor trailers, two of which were driven by women. They came from Albany Avenue via Atlantic Avenue and made the turn onto Cedar Grove Avenue where they were greeted by throngs of spectators who watched them being hitched to the wagon.
The Budweiser Clydesdales marched along the streets of Margate Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.The parade left Cedar Grove and turned south on Atlantic Avenue where they stopped in front of Lucy the Elephant for a scholarship check presentation.
The Folds of Honor foundation has enjoyed a 15-year partnership with Anheuser-Busch and has provided 52,000 life-changing educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members, totaling $28 million. Kylie Madison Bradley was the recipient of the $5,000 scholarship.
Mayor Michael Collins spoke briefly to thank city workers, especially the Police Department and the Margate Business Association, for organizing the visit. He was overwhelmed with the turnout to see the Clydesdales, he said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many people, all of whom are happy and excited to be in Margate for a unique event. Every time I turned a corner, there were more and more people,” he said. “But the message of Folds of Honor should not be forgotten.”
Matthew Lenzo who works for Anheuser-Busch in the New Jersey region, said Senior Commercial Director Rich Grabowski has family in the area and was able to coordinate the visit.
“Everyone we worked with here in Margate was an absolute pleasure to work with in putting this together,” he said.
The Clydesdales were scheduled for three appearances in New Jersey this month. The first was to be the Atlantic City Airshow, which was cancelled to the disappointment of spectators, then to Margate and finally in Long Beach Island on Saturday.
“We’ve never been here before and it was great to see Lucy the Elephant for the first time. We enjoy spreading some love in the community,” he said.
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Nick Santana, who brings his animals to Ventnor every year for the St. James Church’s live Nativity, said the Clydesdales are treated like royalty.
“They travel like rock stars in air conditioned trailers and have everything they need,” he said. “I am so excited to see them, but you know, I have two camels at my farm in Mays Landing.”
The Clydesdales have three groups of horses in locations across the country, including in St. Louis and Los Angeles, but the eight horses that came to Margate are stationed in New Hampshire, Grabowski said.
Copyright Access Network 2024
