How You Can Meet The Budweiser Clydesdales In Tampa

We all know the Budweiser Clydesdales. Well now you can meet the Budweiser Clydesdales in Tampa and it’s all part of the Gasparilla festivities. Their first appearance will be at Cypress Creek Town Center in Lutz on January 24. Additionally, that event will be at 2 PM. Secondly, their next appearance will be on Thursday, January 25 at Armature Works. You’ll be able to meet them from 4:15 to 6:15 PM at Armature Works. Their final appearance will be in the Parade of Pirates at Gasparilla on Saturday, January 27. So, if you’re going to the parade you’ll be able to see those beautiful horses with their beer wagon behind them.

If you’ve lived in the Tampa Bay area long enough, then you remember that the Clydesdales were housed at Busch Gardens for a long time. You were able to go into their stables, which was near Cheetah Hunt. They were absolutely gorgeous and you could see them almost year-round. Now, the Budweiser Clydesdales are housed in Missouri on a 300 acre piece of land. After Anheuser-Busch sold Busch Gardens in 2009 they no longer had that connection to the Budweiser Clydesdales.

The Budweiser Clydesdale have been around for almost 100 years. Additionally, they debut to the American public in 1933 to celebrate the repeal of prohibition. There are eight horses that drive the beer cart at one time but there are 10 horses on each team. You most likely have seen their iconic Super Bowl commercials. The first Super Bowl commercial that they starred in was in 1986 there have been nine Budweiser Clydesdale, focused commercials during the Super Bowl.

There are obviously many commercials I could choose from to tell you what my favorite one is. My favorite one is from 2014, which involves a puppy, and of course the famous horses. Check out that commercial below. Another one that’s great is the donkey who becomes the hero in the commercial and becomes a team member of the Clydesdales.

[SOURCE: That's So Tampa]

Arrghhh mateys! The holidays aren't over yet here in Tampa. It's a local tradition that New Year's resolutions don't start in Tampa until after Gasparilla. So feel free to drink like a pirate and munch on some awesome brunch specials included in Downtown Crawlers' 7th annual Gasparilla bar crawl. There are at least 15 bars participating in the crawl you will have free cover and more perks!

The invasion and parade is happening on Saturday, January 27th in Tampa. The invasion is where the pirate ship Jose Gasparilla, emerges at the south end of Hillsborough Bay followed by hundreds of boats. That happens from 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. 

Then it is time for the Parade of Pirates, which happens from 2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. The parade begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Blvd. It continues along Bayshore Blvd. to Brorein St., turns east on Brorein St., then north on Ashley Dr. The parade ends at Cass St. & Ashley Dr. The parade is free to attend, but you can purchase reserved bleacher seating. Tickets cost $70-$85 depending on which seating area you pick.

There are a few different ticket levels for the Gasparilla Bar Crawl. You can purchase a crawl-only ticket ($29), brunch crawl ticket ($69), or VIP crawl with brunch ($89). Here's what's included with your ticket:

Click here for more information on tickets for the 7th annual Bar Crawl!

Check in begins at The Patio (421 S MacDill Ave, Tampa) at 9am! You MUST check in before visiting other bars on the list.

Eden is one of the hottest clubs in Downtown Tampa.

District Tavern is not a far walk from Sparkman Wharf, so if you plan on heading there on Saturday make sure to stop here!

We know a British pub probably isn't your first choice when it comes to partying like a pirate. Maybe you want to sit back and play a few rounds of golf simulator after the parade!

Make a stop at Tampa's best sushi restaurant for a quick snack and Gasparilla-themed cocktail!

Nothing says Gasparilla like some Tampa-made rum!

Save some room for fresh seafood at Harpoon Harry's! This is great walking distance from the parade route.

Ducky's is a bit far from the parade route, so you will definitely need to Uber or drive there (with your DD). This might be the best place to save for last!

Nothing more Tampa than a pirate smoking a cigar!

Tampa's only pirate-themed bar is a MUST for Gasparilla! This place will be packed so make sure it's an early stop on your list

Tampa's only dueling piano bar is going to be packed on Gaspy!

Can't miss a crowd full of pirates line dancing!