The sell of Busch Garden's parent company went through, and the park is now part of the Blackstone Group.

Local officials are pleased with the deal and the new owner's promise to continue with many of the park's specials and features.

"Christmas Town is on, but the Clydesdales are gone.

The iconic horses — which have been a part of Busch Gardens' brand for years — won't be a part of Anheuser-Busch InBev's theme park sale.

Anheuser-Busch announced Wednesday an agreement to sell all 10 of its theme parks under Busch Entertainment, including Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, to Blackstone Group for $2.3 billion in cash, and up to another $400 million in future profit.

The parks will continue to operate under Busch Entertainment.

The company plans to continue programs such as Howl-O-Scream and the still-to-open Christmas Town, to keep management in place and operate the parks like the Busch family has for years, said Jim Atchison, president of Busch Entertainment. The only noticeable changes for visitors will be the loss of the horses at the parks — which now become a traveling exhibit — and the Anheuser-Busch signage removed, Atchison said.

Historic Triangle tourism officials were able to breathe easier Wednesday after they received assurances from park officials that nothing would change in their operation or partnership with the community. For months, officials had worried what would become of the parks once they were sold.

The deal also includes a sponsorship agreement with Anheuser-Busch, which allows Blackstone to continue using its name in parks like Busch Gardens. In addition, the company will continue to offer campaigns, such as 'Here's to Heroes,' which gives members of the military free admission to the park, Atchison said."

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