HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20090306_ClydesdalesOnTybeeForParade.pdfMAYOR
Jason Buelterman
CITY COUNCIL
Wanda Doyle, Mayor Pro Tem
Charlie R. Brewer
Barry Brown
Eddie Crone
Dick Smith
Paul Wolff CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND
CITY MANAGER
Diane Schleicher
CLERK OF
COUNCIL
Vivian Woods
CITY ATTORNEY
Edward M. Hughes
PRESS RELEASE: Contact: City Manager Diane Schleicher
For immediate release (912)786-4573, x109
Famous Budweiser Clydesdales to Appear in Tybee Island Parade
Tybee Island, GA – (March 5, 2009) Tybee Island’s Seventh Annual Irish Heritage Celebration Parade gets
under way on the afternoon of Saturday, March 14th. At 3 PM, the march begins in front of City Hall and goes
directly down Butler Avenue to Tybrisa Street, where the procession moves to the Strand and disperses in the
parking lot south of the Walter J. Parker Pier and Pavilion.
Like much of the greater Savannah-Chatham area, Tybee has substantial Irish roots, both real and imagined!
The Irish Heritage efforts have worked to keep the Irish history alive, as well as to promote the excitement
and celebration that has come to mark St. Patrick’s Day events around the world.
Begun by locals Jay Burke and Frank Hyre, the parade has grown from 40 units in 2003 to 90 units in 2008.
This year, in addition to the many families and businesses who participate on the route along with the
shenanigans and mayhem contributed by the Alee Shriners, the famous Budweiser Clydesdales will provide an
elegant and impressive addition to the parade.
Standing at 18 hands high (about 6 feet) at the shoulder when fully mature, Budweiser Clydesdales weigh
approximately 2,000 pounds. They must be geldings, bay in color, have four white stockings and a blaze of
white on the face, as well as have a black mane and tail. A gentle temperament also is important, as hitch
horses meet millions of people each year. In two daily meals, a Budweiser Clydesdale hitch horse will consume
20 to 25 quarts of feed, 50 to 60 pounds of hay and up to 30 gallons of water.
The Clydesdales receive thousands of requests each year to participate in various events. Once a Clydesdale is
selected to be among the chosen few to travel with one of the company’s five traveling eight-horse hitches, he
can expect to spend many of his days on the road, performing at hundreds of events each year.
Wanda Doyle, one of the parade organizers, notes, "The Tybee Island Irish Heritage Celebration Parade
Committee has been trying to get the Clydesdales to come to Tybee since we began the parade in 2003. We
are very pleased and excited to know they are finally coming to participate in our parade. This is quite an
honor for our small community of Tybee. We look forward to it with great anticipation!"
The parade participants will begin staging on Jones Avenue near the island’s Memorial Park, and the
Clydesdale entourage alone will take up at least a block. They bring in an eight horse hitch, wagon, and their
personnel, transported in three tractor-trailer rigs.
"The Tybee Irish Heritage Celebration seems to grow every year and the commitment from the Clydesdales to
come for our Parade is yet another indication of the continued success of this event. The folks who plan and
coordinate this event have done a superb job year after year and ought to be commended for their efforts,"
said Tybee Mayor, Jason Buelterman.
P.O. Box 2749 – 403 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328-2749
(866) 786-4573 – FAX (866) 786-5737
www.cityoftybee.org
With St. Patrick’s Day still 10 days away after the parade, Tybee’s residents and business will continue
celebrating and help to participate in Savannah’s festivities as well.
It’s the least a good Irishman can do!
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild
bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors
to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee Fort Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the
Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop
for history buffs. Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting
year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest, the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the
Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off the Parker Pier and
Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests,
protecting their eggs, and making sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to
find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.org/.
About Tybee Island’s Better Hometown Initiative: Tybee’s Better Hometown initiative follows a comprehensive revitalization process
that improves all aspects of a commercial district. Better Hometown is a self help approach to economic development for downtown
areas designed to grow business and improve a community’s quality of life. With broad based community support, it integrates a
practical management strategy with the physical improvements of buildings and public spaces, promotion and image building, and
economic development in the area.
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Photos: Shriners prepare to enter Butler Avenue; The Famous Budweiser Clydesdales (from Anheuser-Busch)
P.O. Box 2749 – 403 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328-2749
(866) 786-4573 – FAX (866) 786-5737
www.cityoftybee.org