8-pack of Budweiser Clydesdales strut down Lakewood Ranch Main Street

By Liz Ramos
| 1:30 p.m. February 16, 2024

Clydesdales don't shy away for their close-ups.

East County
Neighbors

While living in St. Louis, Missouri, GreyHawk Landing's Allen and Susan Lane were able to see the Budweiser Clydesdales several times.

Susan Lane said Warm Springs Ranch, which is the official breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales, is so clean, someone could eat off the floor in a horse's stable.

So when the Lanes had the opportunity to see their favorite horses again almost a year after moving to Greyhawk Landing, they didn't want to miss it.

They found a spot along Lakewood Main Street Feb. 15 along with hundreds of other Clydesdale fans who wanted a glimpse as the Clydesdales pulled the famous Budweiser wagon down the street.

Del Webb's Barb Stanz said she goes to see the Clydesdales every time they're in Lakewood Ranch. She brought her friend, Del Webb's Tina Dorn, who had never seen the magnificent animals before. Dorn said it was an amazing sight.

The team, which is out of Merrimack, New Hampshire, will appear this evening at Rossi Park (Friday) at 5 p.m. in downtown Bradenton; then at 1 p.m. on Saturday at CoolToday Park in North Port; then 2 p.m. on Sunday on Old Stickney Point Road in Siesta Key, going right past Captain Curt's Crab and Oyster Bar, and at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, one of the Clydesdales will make an appearance at Twin Peaks at 3060 Fruitville Commons Blvd, Sarasota.

Then it's off to Daytona in their 50-foot tractor trailers.

All the appearances are free to the public.

Lakewood Ranch's Beth Graci is amazed by seeing the Clydesdales for the first time. "They're so beautiful," she says.

Each of the Clydesdales is given some love.

Preparing a Clydesdale for a public appearance takes time from grooming it to putting on its harness and more.

Each horse will consume as much as 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals and vitamins, 50 to 60 pounds of hay, and up to 30 gallons of water on a warm day.

The Budweiser Clydesdales prepare for a venture down Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

The Clydesdales have to look their best before appearing on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

The Clydesdales can't be missed in Lakewood Ranch.

After moving from St. Louis, Missouri, to Greyhawk Landing nearly a year ago, Susan and Allen Lane are thrilled to see their favorite horses once again. "They're magnificent horses," Susan Lane says.

People surround the Clydesdales as they prepare for their walk down Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

Sarasota's Marty and Karen Van Praet stand in front of the 50-foot tractor trailer that transports the huge animals.

People line the sidewalks of Main Street at Lakewood Ranch to prepare for the Clysdales' appeaance Feb. 15.

People swarm the Clydesdales for their opportunity to take photos with the majestic horses.

The Clydesdale team went from six horses to eight in 1950.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are accompanied by drivers and their Dalmatian mascots.

The Clydesdales each weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds.

The Clydesdales pound the pavement at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

Everyone's phone camera was busy as the Clydesdales make their way down Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

Del Webb's Tina Dorn sees the Clydesdales for the first time while Del Webb's Barb Stanz says she sees them any time they come to Lakewood Ranch. "They're amazing," Dorn says.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.