(DEWEY BEACH, Del.) - The Budweiser Clydesdales, Anheuser Busch's legendary horse hitch team, will be in a parade in Dewey Beach.
"It's close to the summer solstice so this is our summer solstice celebration," said Kelly Ranieri, of the Dewey Business Partnership that is partnering with the town of Dewey for this event. "And the Clydesdales will be here. We are excited. And this is an all-ages, family-friendly event."
Mr. Creekmore will ride in convertible comfort right behind the Delaware State Police Mounted Unit that will lead the 6 p.m. parade.
Long Neck resident Tom Creekmore, a World War II veteran with the Eighth Air Force, will portray famous U.S. Navy Admiral George Dewey as the grand marshal in the summer solstice parade June 23 in Dewey Beach.
"He knows the history of Admiral Dewey. So Admiral Dewey (Mr. Creekmore) will kind of be our grand marshal.," said Ms. Ranieri.
"I'll either do that ... or maybe they'll give me a bucket and a shovel," chuckled Mr. Creekmore.
The name of the tiny coastal town is believed to have been changed from Rehoboth City to Dewey Beach following the 1898 Battle of Manilla in which Admiral Dewey became national hero.
Mr. Creekmore not only bears striking resemblance to the famous admiral but has absorbed extensive historical research.
"Admiral Dewey's flagship was the Olympia. The captain was Gridley. They sailed into Manilla Bay on that Sunday morning and when they were getting close, that is when Dewey said, 'You may fire when you are ready, Gridley,'" said Mr. Creekmore. "He came home one hell of a hero."
The Clydesdales are the marquee attraction in the 6 p.m. that begins at Saulsbury Street near The Starboard. The route is south on Del. 1 to Dickinson Streetfor a stop at the Rusty Rudder and Lighthouse Circle where there will be a live band as well photo opportunities for people with the gentle giant horses.
From there the procession moves into Vandyke Street for another celebration: a roving New Orleans-style jazz band, a bonfire and kids' activities, including face-painting.
At about 8:45 p.m. the ceremonial un-staging will be held as the horses are unhooked and moved into their trailers.
"We have three 54-foot tractor trailers rolling into town (for the horses, wagon, etc.)," Ms. Ranieri said.
Portions of Del. 1 southbound will be closed temporarily for approximately 25 minutes during the parade.
Mr. Creekmore will be dressed in hopes of mirroring authenticity for the occasion: white pants, white jacket and a white cap he made from three caps.
He scooped up an Admiral Dewey medal on e-Bay.
"And I have a new mustache," Mr. Creekmore said. "I've got a good one for this parade."
When opportunity knocks, Mr. Creekmore likes to share his experience of World War II.
"I flew with the Eighth Air Force. We lost 50,000 men who went on a mission and didn't come back for dinner; 24,000 were in POW camps for the rest of the war and 26,000 died. Those 26,000 young men, 20, 21 years old died so that we could have our freedom today."
Mr. Creekmore actually flew 20 missions. The last one is forever memorable.
"The 20th one was when I was on the plane that went in and picked up the Air Force officers from Stalag Luft 1 (a German prison-of-war camp near Barth north of Berlin on the Baltic Sea)," said Mr. Creekmore. "I will always remember that, even though I have forgot the 19 missions dropping bombs. That meant more to me; 30 guys on each plane. We brought 6,000 men out and as far as I know we didn't lose a single crew member or a single one of the POWs."
Not just any horse can be a Budweiser Clydesdale. According to the Anheuser Busch website, to qualify for one of the traveling hitches, a 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, four white legs, a white blaze and a black mane and tail.
Clydesdales have hearty appetites. Each hitch horse can consume as much as 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals and vitamins, 50 to 60 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.