From my inbox:

WORLD-FAMOUS BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES TO
APPEAR IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS

PEORIA, IL, NOVEMBER 15, 2010 – The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several appearances in the area on Wednesday November 17, Friday November 19 Saturday November 20 and Sunday November 21. All appearances are subject to change and are weather permitting.

On November 17, 20 and 21st the “Gentle Giants,” as they are often referred to, will participate in the “Hitch against Hunger” in Peoria and East Peoria, Illinois. “Hitch against Hunger” is a joint effort between Brewers Distributing Company, the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales and the Peoria Area Food Bank to provide necessary food to the community just in time for the Holidays.

The “Hitch against Hunger” campaign begins on November 20, 2010 at the Peoria Hy-Vee store. The Clydesdales will be on display from 1:20 to 2:00 PM. The hitch will then parade to Peoria Schnucks where they will be on display from 2:20 to 3:20 PM. Volunteers from Brewers Distributing will be on hand at each site to collect non perishable food.

The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon in downtown Peoria on Wednesday November 17 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The schedule is:

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 17
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Hitch arrives at Kelleher’s Irish Pub and Eatery, 619 SW Water Street, Peoria, IL
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Display at Kelleher’s Irish Pub and Eatery
5:30 PM – 5:50 PM Parade to Sully’s Pub and Café, 121 SW Adams Street, Peoria, IL
5:50 PM – 6:00 PM Parade to The Locker Room Bar and Grill, 112 SW Jefferson Street, Peoria, IL
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM Hitch Arrives at Peoria Civic Center, 201 SW Jefferson Avenue, Peoria, IL

The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon in Wyoming, Illinois on Friday November 19 from 3:45 PM to 6:45 PM. The schedule is:

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Hitch arrives at Wyoming Parade, 108 E. Williams Street, Wyoming, IL
4:45 PM – 6:45 PM Display / Parade

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20
12:20 PM – 1:20 PM Hitch arrives at Hy-Vee, 4125 North Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL
1:20 PM – 2:00 PM Display at Hy-Vee
2:00 PM – 2:20 PM Parade to Schnucks, 4800 North University, Peoria, IL
2:20 PM – 3:20 PM Display at Schnucks

The campaign continues on November 21, 2010, as the Clydesdales will be on display at East Peoria Kroger from 12:45 to 1:30 PM. The hitch will then parade to the Silver Bullet Sports Grill and Bar and will be on display from 1:30 to 2:45 PM. Volunteers will again be on hand to collect non perishable food items.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Hitch arrives at Kroger, 201 South Main Street, East Peoria, IL
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM Display at Kroger
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM Parade to Silver Bullet, 135 North Main Street, East Peoria, IL

Brewers Distributing is accepting cash donations to allow us to purchase food for the Peoria Area Food Bank. Some of the participating stores will be building bags of the most requested items and allowing us to purchase these through your donation to add to the campaign. For more information on the Peoria Area Food Bank, please visit http://www.pcceo.org/foodbank.html. Enclosed is a list of the requested food donations.

Checks may be made payable to Peoria Area Food Bank to allow for your tax deductible donation.

Donations may be mailed to (must be received by December 1st):

Brewers Distributing Company
Hitch Against Hunger
2421 W. Townline Road
Peoria, IL 61615-1540

The Clydesdales’ appearance in central Illinois is one of hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800’s. Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show.

Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least three years of age, stand approximately 18 hands – or six feet – at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail. A gentle temperament is very important as hitch horses meet millions of people each year.

A single Clydesdale hitch horse will consume as much as 20-25 quarts of feed, 40-50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.

Each hitch travels with a Dalmatian. In the early days of brewing, Dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries.

The Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at the Anheuser-Busch breweries in St. Louis, Mo.; Merrimack, N.H.; and Ft. Collins, Colo. They also may be viewed at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis and at Warm Springs Ranch, the 300-plus acre Clydesdale breeding farm located near Boonville, Mo.