FORT LAUDERDALE – Here comes the King of Horses!  The world renowned Budweiser Clydesdales are marching into Fort Lauderdale for the St. Patrick's Parade and Festival on Saturday, March 9.

A public viewing of the majestic horses will take place on Wednesday, March 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Fort Lauderdale Police Mounted Unit stables, located in Holiday Park at 1200 G. Harold Martin Drive (at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Federal Highway).

In addition to viewing the Clydesdales, the free event will feature tours of the Fort Lauderdale Police Mounted Unit stables, a petting zoo and pony rides.

First introduced in 1933, the majestic eight horse "hitch" has delighted audiences around the country for 80 years.  Today, the traveling team of Clydesdales logs thousands of miles a year performing at parades, rodeos, fairs and special events.

According to Anheuser-Busch, to qualify for one of the traveling hitches, a Budweiser Clydesdale must be a gelding that is at least four years old, stand 72 inches at the shoulder when fully mature, weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds, have a bay coat, four white legs, a white blaze, and a black mane and tail.

Each Clydesdale typically consumes as much as 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals and vitamins, along with 50 to 60 pounds of hay, and 30 gallons of water per day.

Presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey, the Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Parade and Festival will take place on Saturday, March 9 from 11 am - 7 pm at Huizenga Plaza and along Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The pageantry and excitement will begin on Saturday morning at 11:00 am with a traditional Irish Blessing at Huizenga Plaza, located at the corner of Andrews Avenue and Las Olas Boulevard.  Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler will deliver opening remarks, which will be followed by the running of the 2nd Annual Leprechaun Leap, a family fun run that will feature parents and children clad in green racing down Las Olas Boulevard to kick off the festivities.

At noon, all eyes will turn toward the sky as the U.S. Coast Guard's signature red helicopter performs a dramatic flyover to officially start the St. Patrick's Parade.

The parade will travel west along Las Olas Boulevard from S.E. 5th Avenue to Las Olas Riverfront.  In addition to the Clydesdales, the parade will include decorative floats, pipe and drum corps, classic automobiles, bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, street performers, scout troops, the Miami Dolphins, Veterans groups, and elected officials.

Following the parade, the St. Patrick's Festival will continue until 7:00 pm at Huizenga Plaza and along the Riverwalk.  Festival highlights will include live music, Irish dancers, interactive entertainment, stilt walkers, leprechauns, cultural exhibits, and plenty of your favorite Irish food and beverages. The event will also feature live performances from popular bands including Celtic Bridge, Avalon, and The Fineans.  Children will love the festival's expanded Kids Zone with bounce houses, train rides, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, balloon artists, interactive games and much more!

The Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Parade and Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization and a sanctioned event of Winterfest.  The event is sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey, City of Fort Lauderdale, The Related Group, Ireland's Inn, Downtown Development Authority, AutoNation, The Huizenga Family, Keith and Schnars, YOLO, Whole Foods Market, ACE Waste, Budweiser, NOVA Southeastern University, Cymbal Development, Local IAFF 765, Anticipation Yachts, Murphy's Stout, Las Olas Riverfront, TBG Partners, EDI, Hugh's Culinary, Briny Riverfront, Northwestern Mutual, OMGFAST!, Lochrie Chakas, FOP Lodge 31, Westway Towing, Sun Sentinel, Majic 102.7, Local 10 News, and Broward Health.

For more information about the Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Parade and Festival, please call (954) 828-5363 or visit www.ftlaudirishfest.com.