A couple thousand people from across the region were in Dawsonville on Thursday to see the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Racetrac at Ga. 400 and Carlisle Road was one of several stops in Georgia the brewer has scheduled to showcase the horses.

As one of the more recognizable icons in American marketing, the Clydesdales were expected to draw a crowd, though possibly not the commotion that followed.

"There were people parking along Ga. 400 and walking to Racetrac to see the horses," said Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle.

"I don't think anybody expected that many people to show up. I don't think Racetrac thought that many people would show up."

Cars also lined Carlisle Road back to Lumpkin Campground Road and Gordon Moss Road behind John Megel Chevrolet to Dawson Forest Road near the south entrance of North Georgia Premium Outlets.

Carlisle said his office was aware of the Clydesdales' appearance, but surprised by the ensuing spectacle.

"Once we started hearing about the crowds, Patrol Sgt. Mich Long and Dep. [Ethan] Taffar immediately went over to direct traffic," he said.

A symbol of Anheuser-Busch since 1933, the original six-horse Clydesdales hitch was a gift from brothers August A. Busch Jr. and Adolphus Busch III to their father, August A. Busch Sr., to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition.

Today the brewer has more than 250 of the horses, many of which travel the United States for company promotions.