Clydesdales marching through Lake Charles
Published 8:10 am Thursday, October 16, 2014
Shortly after 7 p.m. today, the Budweiser Clydesdales will proudly strut down Ryan Street and march to Cowboy Stadium for McNeese State University’s annual homecoming parade. The eight-horse hitch is in the Lake Area for the university’s 75th anniversary celebration.
During a news conference Wednesday, McNeese President Philip Williams said he was amazed and honored that the famous horses are at the university. He said that when Ben Marriner, president of Southwest Beverage Co., first mentioned getting the horses for the celebration, he thought it would be impossible. He said the “gentle giants” get thousands of requests each year.
“I thought my odds of winning the lottery were higher,” Williams said. “It is extremely exciting, and we expect the Clydesdales to be the crowning feature of the parade.”
Candace Townsend, university public relations director, said the public can view the horses and tour the Budweiser Enhanced Stable Experience — a traveling stable, museum and theater — noon-5:30 p.m. Saturday in the stadium parking lot.
Students and university staff are invited to meet the horses 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today, she said. Townsend said McNeese is the first university in the country, and the sixth tour stop, to showcase the Enhanced Stable Experience.
Chris Wiesert, Clydesdale hitch captain, said the public can also meet Chip, a Dalmatian who travels with the horses as part of tradition. Wiesert said each hitch has traveled with a Dalmatian since the 1950s.
“In the early days of brewing, the dogs were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries,” he said. “Chip, who is extremely friendly and a little lazy, is not so much a guard dog. He will also accompany the Clydesdales in the parade.”
According to university officials, this year’s parade is expected to be much bigger than normal. Officials said that as of Wednesday, the university has received more than 100 float entries — almost twice that of past parades.
The parade will today at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Ryan and East LaGrange streets. It will then turn south on Ryan, travel to McNeese Street, turn east on McNeese and travel to Cowboy Stadium, where it will disband for the homecoming pep rally and fireworks display.