UNION — The iconic Budweiser Clydesdales are in Knox County this week for the 68th annual Maine Lobster Festival, but when they aren’t busy making appearances in Rockland, including their anticipated appearance in the big Lobster Festival parade Saturday morning, they can be found stretching their legs and rolling in the dust and dirt in Union.

The Union Fairgrounds are playing host to the eight “gentle giants,” providing fenced paddocks to ramble around and barns for shade. Traveling with them are seven handlers and one Dalmation.

Friday afternoon the public was invited to visit with the Clydesdales, including 14-year-olds J.J. and Drew, the oldest and most mature in harness, who are followed in harness by Ivan, Vegas, Vic, Nomo, Rico and Phoenix.

But earlier in the day Friday, five of the horses of Anheuser-Busch were in the dirt riding ring, and attracting the attention of any number of curious citizens who ventured onto the fairgrounds. Up there, the five Clydesdales worked hard to reach the blades of grass and clover just outside the ring that usually hosts local pony and horse club shows. When their big fuzzy lips smacked in vain, a few people pulled up handfuls of grass and clover to feed them.

Soon, it was time to bring the big horses out of the ring and in for a quick bath and brushing before the adoring public arrived to see them.

The Budweiser Clydesdales will be in the Maine Lobster Fesitval parade Saturday, Aug. 1 beginning at 10 a.m.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 706-6655