The Brecksville Bicentennial Parade isn’t until Saturday afternoon, but one set of special guests—the Budweiser Clydesdales—has been kept pretty busy. 

The 10 horses arrived in Brecksville Monday afternoon, said Brant Giere. The horses are being housed at Maple Crest Farm, Giere’s family farm. Since they arrived, the horses have been the focus of a party for the Bicentennial Committee’s family and friends on Tuesday, a Bicentennial fundraiser on Wednesday and part of an NBA draft party at the Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday.

“It’s been a terrific experience,” Giere said. 

Earlier today, Maple Crest Farm held an open house for the public to visit the animals. Giere said the farm’s horses are being housed in temporary stables in a different part of the barn; the barn is unusual because its regular stalls are very large – large enough for a Clydesdale.

The horses weigh about 2,000 pounds each, said Rich Gerth, a handler that travels with the company. 

The House of LaRose and the LaRose family helped bring the Clydesdales to Brecksville, Giere said.