Budweiser’s iconic Clydesdales will trot into Smyrna this Friday, turning heads and tugging heartstrings just days before the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park.
The eight-horse hitch is slated to parade through downtown Smyrna on July 11 as part of the broader All-Star Week festivities, which have already lit up metro Atlanta. While the city hasn’t released an exact time yet, anticipation is building fast—and for good reason.
A Legacy on Hooves Comes Closer to Home
The Budweiser Clydesdales are not your average show ponies.
Towering at about 18 hands high and weighing up to 2,000 pounds each, these draft horses have been symbols of strength, grace, and Americana since their debut in 1933. It all started when August A. Busch Jr. surprised his father with a post-Prohibition delivery of Budweiser beer aboard a six-horse team. The rest is branding gold.
Now, their visit to Smyrna—less than 10 miles from downtown Atlanta—marks one of the rare times these gentle giants have clopped through a small Georgia town.
“You don’t just see these horses every day,” said Liz Harmon, a Smyrna resident who plans to bring her kids downtown. “It’s like a living piece of American history walking down your street.”
All-Star Week Adds Southern Charm
With the MLB All-Star Game scheduled for Tuesday, July 15 at Truist Park, the greater Atlanta area is in full celebration mode.
Smyrna’s inclusion in the festivities highlights how the suburban city is becoming more than just a spillover for Braves traffic. Known for its tight-knit community and walkable downtown, the city seems ready to host more than just baseball fans this week.
City officials posted the Clydesdale news on Instagram over the weekend, sparking a flurry of shares and comments. “They are in the area during the MLB All-Star week and we are honored that they will be making a public appearance in Smyrna!” the post read.
One follower joked, “Forget baseball, this is the real All-Star team.”
Another added, “Can we get them to deliver a few Budweisers too?”
What Makes the Clydesdales So Special?
It’s not just their massive frames or feathered hooves. These horses are trained to pull the red, white, and gold Budweiser beer wagon with military precision and a kind of grace that feels out of another era.
Each hitch team typically includes:
-
Eight horses pulling the wagon
-
Two back-up horses
-
A Dalmatian dog riding on the wagon seat (yes, really)
They travel with a full team of handlers and get treated better than most celebrities—custom stalls, daily grooming, and even their own chef-prepared grain mixes.
And their public appearances? They’re booked months in advance and require detailed logistics down to where each hoof will land.
“It’s about storytelling,” said Drew Mahoney, a former Anheuser-Busch marketing consultant. “Every time the Clydesdales show up, it’s like watching a Norman Rockwell painting come to life. It makes people stop, wave, and remember the brand in a deeply emotional way.”
Smyrna’s Downtown Could Steal the Spotlight
The city hasn’t yet finalized where the horses will trot, but it’s likely to include the main drag along Atlanta Road, past the city green and community center.
That’s not a small deal for a town of about 56,000. Local businesses are already prepping.
At Rev Coffee, baristas are expecting a rush and plan to sell limited edition iced coffee drinks in honor of the Clydesdales.
“We’re calling it ‘The Hitch,’” said barista Terrance Moore. “It’s dark roast, iced, with a splash of cream—like something you’d drink watching horses go by in July heat.”
Over at Porch Light Latin Kitchen, co-owner Gabriel Rodriguez said they’re planning to stay open an extra hour Friday night. “People are going to be out, milling around. Why not give them a good empanada and a view?”
Clydesdale Appearances by the Numbers
Here’s a quick look at how the horses operate throughout the year:
| Clydesdale Fact | Data |
|---|---|
| Appearances Annually | 300+ |
| Horses in National Stable | 170+ |
| Horses per Hitch Team | 8 (plus 2 reserves) |
| Weight per Horse | 1,800–2,300 lbs |
| First Appearance Year | 1933 |
| Travel Trailer Size | 50 ft, climate controlled |
That’s a lot of hooves and horsepower, literally.
Past Meets Present, With a Little Nostalgia
For some folks in Smyrna, the Clydesdales’ arrival stirs more than just awe.
“I saw them in St. Louis when I was a kid. I’ll never forget it,” said Dennis Wallace, a 63-year-old Navy veteran who now lives in Vinings. “The way those horses moved, the sound of the wagon—goosebumps.”
He plans to watch from the sidewalk near Market Village with his grandson.
“It’s like seeing part of your childhood come down the road,” he said, choking up a little. “How many things in life do that?”
Even with all the buzz around the MLB All-Star Game, the horses might just be the most photographed stars of the week. And if history’s any guide, they’ll steal the show—hoof by hoof.
