The Suttler Post Farm Clydesdales is hosting their 6th Annual Holiday Open House on December 14 and 15, attracting over 1,300 attendees to enjoy a festive weekend while raising funds for Hospice of St. Mary’s. The event, which took place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, featured a $10 paid admission, with all proceeds benefiting the Hospice House of St. Mary’s.
This year’s event was a standout, thanks in part to a partnership with Guy Distributing, which brought in the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales. In addition to Suttler Post Farm’s eight resident Clydesdales, all 10 of the Budweiser team’s Clydesdales were present, creating a unique experience for guests.
Daniel Mass, General Manager at Suttler Post Farm, expressed his excitement about the event’s impact. “We’re out here at our sixth annual holiday open house to benefit hospice. There’s a $10 paid admission to come in, and this year, Guy Distributing has partnered with us to bring in the Budweiser Clydesdales. So all 10 of their Clydesdales are here, including our eight that you guys are familiar seeing,” Mass said. “All the money raised here is going directly to Hospice of St. Mary’s to benefit our Hospice House.”
The weekend was filled with activities, including food from local vendors, festive decorations, and opportunities to interact with the majestic horses. The rain, which initially threatened the event, cleared just in time for a successful turnout. “Today has been an extremely great day with over 1,300 guests here through our facility, and we’re expecting tomorrow to be just as well,” Mass added.
A key highlight of the weekend will take place Sunday afternoon, as the Budweiser Clydesdales will demonstrate their iconic eight-horse hitch at the farm. Mass shared some details about the event: “The Budweiser Clydesdales will be hitching the horses here at the farm, starting at around 2 p.m. tomorrow. We’ll be bringing each horse out individually, putting a harness onto them, and getting them positioned near the wagon. It takes about an hour to an hour and 15 to 20 minutes to get all eight horses hitched to the wagon, get the lines ran all the way back to the box so the driver has control. And then once all eight horses are hitched to the wagon successfully, they will be stepping off in unison as they make their way around our pastures.”
In a surprise announcement, Mass had earlier revealed the hitching demonstration, scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, encouraging guests to come out for the one-of-a-kind experience. “To surprise everybody, to give you a little tidbit of information ahead of time, the Budweiser will be hitching their eight-horse hitch here on the farm tomorrow at 3 p.m. So make sure you get out here. Support a great cause, support a great event, and come see these horses,” he said.
The Suttler Post Farm Clydesdales, a beloved fixture in the community, have hosted the holiday open house for six years, creating an opportunity for families to enjoy the holiday season while supporting a worthy cause. “Come enjoy food and local vendors,” the event flyer urged, drawing attention to the festive atmosphere and the chance to see the renowned horses up close.
The funds raised at the event will support Hospice of St. Mary’s, a vital organization providing end-of-life care for patients and their families. “All proceeds go directly to benefit Hospice of St. Mary’s,” Mass emphasized, highlighting the importance of community support for the organization.
With the success of the first day and the anticipated excitement of the Budweiser hitch on Sunday, the event is poised to leave a lasting impact on the community.
