Budweiser Clydesdales Coming to Laurel, Fort Meade

Gone are the days when horse-drawn carriages were a common sighting on local streets, but Laurel residents may spot some special horses—specifically, the Budweiser Clydesdales—traveling through town July 2 and 3.

The horses will be at the Laurel Fire Department at noon Tuesday and travel through the neighborhood to visit the family of fallen soldier Sgt. 1st Class Floyd D. Lake. Lake died in 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Maj. Dan Rooney from the Folds of Honor Foundation will award two $5,000 educational scholarships to the Lake family in honor of their father’s bravery and service.

The Budweiser Clydesdales will also help kick off an Independence Day celebration July 3 at Fort Meade’s Red, White & Blue Celebration. The festival will take place at 4 p.m. at Fort Meade Parade Field, 902 Reece Road.

The event will feature rides, food, fireworks and live music. Country artist Jerrod Niemann will be the music headliner. The Clydesdales will be available for pictures. Attendees should access the field via the Visitor Control Center.

Folds of Honor Foundation offers assistance to families of fallen soldiers by awarding scholarships and providing other support services. To help fund the scholarships, Budweiser will donate up to $1 million in proceeds from the sale of Budweiser products this year and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation will donate $500,000.