WILTON — Despite a letter campaign, the Budweiser Clydesdales will not appear at the 35th annual Blueberry Festival this summer.

Shannon Smith, festival chairman, was notified Monday by Federal Distributors who said with deep regret that the Clydesdales will not be able to come.

“The reason is Budweiser is doing a special promotion to introduce a State design can for each of their twelve breweries,” Smith said in a release. “The first State can comes out the same weekend as the 35th Wilton Blueberry Festival. The Clydesdales will be at that promotion in Virginia.”

At the end of December, Smith started a letter-writing campaign to reinforce her request for the horses to make an appearance at the festival planned for Aug. 4 and 5.

In one month’s time, over 100 Wilton Blueberry Festival fans responded to a request for letters supporting the appearance of the Budweiser Clydesdale 8-Horse Hitch. Clydesdale representatives came to town to review arrangements and Smith was told she would know later this spring.

Now, she thanks those who supported the letter campaign but it is time to move on and celebrate what will take place at the festival. 

This year’s theme is Disney. Three princesses, two superheroes and Mary Poppins will be in the parade, she said. And, Re Creation will provide a free concert Friday at 7:15 p.m. at Academy Hill School,

The 2017 festival flyer can be viewed at www.wiltonbbf.com 

Budweiser Clydesdale 8-Horse Hitch

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Shannon Smith, Wilton, Wilton Blueberry Festival

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