COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.(Dec. 23, 2009) – This year when the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales march down Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard for the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., they’ll be joined by American icons of another sort. The famed float will feature U.S. Olympic legends Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen and Michelle Kwan along with six U.S. Olympic hopefuls as the nation counts down to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
"Anheuser-Busch has been a tremendous supporter of the U.S. Olympic Team and the Olympic Movement for a quarter of a century," said United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Baird. "We’re thrilled U.S. Olympic team members were asked to participate in the Parade of Roses. The long-term commitment from Budweiser benefits America’s athletes, helping them train hard, pursue their dreams and represent our country with pride at the Olympic Winter Games.
Designed by Michelle Lofthouse, the Anheuser-Busch float "Quest for the Best," will feature U.S. winter Olympic legends and hopefuls who, through their talent, passion and dedication, embody the 2010 Rose Parade theme of being "A Cut Above the Rest." These Olympic hopefuls are Shannon Bahrke (Freestyle skiing – Tahoe City, Calif.), Steve Fisher (Snowboarding – St. Louis Park, Minn.), Steve Holcomb (Bobsled – Park City, Utah), Katherine Reutter (Short track speed skating – Champaign, Ill.), Rebecca Sorenson (Skeleton – Fort Collins, Colo.) and Marco Sullivan (Alpine skiing – Tahoe City, Calif.).
"Anheuser-Busch is proud to bring together two American icons – the Budweiser Clydesdales and U.S. Olympic athletes – for one of the country’s most popular New Year’s Day traditions," said Rob McCarthy, senior director of Budweiser. "U.S. Olympians represent strength and determination and bring joy to millions of spectators nationwide."
The Budweiser Clydesdales have been a part of the Rose Parade since 1953. This year, the eight Clydesdales to pull the Anheuser-Busch float are Dick (wheel horse), Fez (wheel horse), Tim (wheel-body horse), Bernie (wheel-body horse), Alan (body horse), Scooby (swing horse), Mike (swing-lead horse) and Dave (swing-lead horse).
These particular Clydesdales were chosen based on their beauty, strength, temperament and size. To qualify for a hitch, a Budweiser Clydesdale must be a gelding at least four years of age,
stand 72 inches at the shoulder when fully mature, weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds, have a bay coat, a blaze of white on the face, four white stocking feet, and a black mane and tail.
The float will feature thousands of fresh-cut flowers, including white chrysanthemums and fine cut statice, to create snow banks and ice rinks. Six 12-foot real pine trees will be dusted with white dendrobium and gypsophila to give the appearance of snow. The Olympic gold the athletes will be seeking at the Olympic Winter Games will be represented by gold, orange and light yellow roses.
About the U.S. Olympic Committee
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. For more information, please visit www.teamusa.org.
About Anheuser-Busch
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 49.2 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired Global Companies list in 2009. Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.
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