Budweiser Clydesdales captivates community

To the Editor:

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Last week, June 6-12, Poplar Bluff welcomed the World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales Anniversary Celebration Tour and what a week it was! I was in awe of the number of people that turned out for each and every event throughout the week. The Black River Coliseum was the most perfect temporary home for the Clydesdales and crew as well as a wonderful place for the public to view them daily. Wednesday began with authentic beer deliveries by the 8-horse hitch and a stop and salute to the veterans at the John J Pershing VA Medical Center allowing the citizens of Poplar Bluff to get their first opportunity to see these gentle giants in action. A private event on Thursday for our retail partners raised nearly $7500.00 to benefit the Veterans Memorial Wall. Friday's parade in front of the Veterans Memorial Wall, Poplar Bluff Public Library (100th Anniversary), and Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School (125th Anniversary) commemorated these special anniversaries. Saturday's parade across Wappapello Lake Dam in honor of their 75th Anniversary brought out an estimated 5000-7000 people, one of the largest crowds ever for a lake event. Sunday's final parade down Shelby Road with a stop at Three Rivers College new west entrance commemorated their 50th anniversary. The week far exceeded all of our expectations!

The success of the World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales week-long visit to Poplar Bluff was due to the unbelievable cooperation, tireless support, and hard work of so many people. I especially want to thank City Manager Mark Massingham and the City of Poplar Bluff, Steve Halter and the staff of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, Bobby Godwin and the staff at the Black River Coliseum, Chief of Police Danny Whiteley, Deputy Chief Don Trout, and all the of the Poplar Bluff Police Department police officers for escorting the Clydesdales and their crew safely to and from each event. A huge thank you to Captain Joe Vitale and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Sheriff Mark Dobbs and the Butler County Sheriff's Department, Sheriff Dean Finch and the Wayne County Sheriff's Department for precision traffic control throughout the area. A special thanks to the US Army Corps of Engineers - Cindy Jackson, Andrew Jefferson, and Becky Hays for coordinating the lake event. Incredible media coverage was provided by Don Schreiber and the Daily American Republic reporters and photographers, River Radio, Fox Radio Network, and KFVS-12. Additional thanks to Bruce Hutson & Baldwin Automotive Group, Matt & Erin Dodd-The Bread Company, Jim Bailey-Carstar and private event volunteers Becki Shrum, Cindy Tanner, Audrey and Dylan Cisne, and Chris Rushin.

In addition, I would like to thank the St. Louis Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch team members - Manny, Dennis, Tony, Roger, John, Mark, and Justin, Clydesdales - Donnie, Charlie, Roger, King, Jack, Sparky, McGee, Levi, Princeton, Rock, and Clyde, the Dalmatian for putting on an incredible show and giving me and the entire community memories to last a lifetime. A huge shout-out to our supplier, Anheuser-Busch and our retail accounts for promoting and participating in this event and allowing us to sell the greatest portfolio of beer brands in the industry; we appreciate your support. Finally, to all my team members (Bud Girls, too) at Luecke Distributing Company, Inc...thanks for your extra hard work and focus this past week..."This Bud's For You"!

In Appreciation,

Chris Shrum

General Manager

Luecke Distributing Company, Inc.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri