Weston’s Fourth of July parade float plants find new homes across the city after creating patriotic displays for the community celebration

Weston, New York – The colorful plants that help turn Weston’s Fourth of July parade floats into patriotic displays do not disappear once the celebration ends. Instead, they continue serving the community long after the final parade vehicle leaves the route.

Each year, the City of Weston uses hundreds of plants to decorate its Fourth of July floats, creating eye-catching displays for the City Commission and Grand Marshal. But when the parade is over and the crowds have gone home, the landscaping team begins a second phase of the project — carefully removing the plants and giving them new homes throughout the city.

This year, a total of 267 plants, 94 orchids, two palms and three trees were used to create the two parade floats. After bringing color and beauty to the holiday celebration, every plant was relocated and replanted in City-owned landscapes where residents and visitors can continue enjoying them.

The effort reflects Weston’s approach of combining community events with long-term environmental planning. Rather than treating the plants as temporary decorations, the city reuses them as part of its ongoing landscaping efforts.

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The collection of plants included a variety of species chosen for their appearance and ability to thrive in the local environment. Among them were Auntie Lou ti plants, Dwarf Ixora, Liriope ‘Super Blue’, Plumbago, Croton ‘Petra’, Boston ferns and colorful bromeliads.

Following the parade, these plants were placed in several public areas throughout Weston. They were added to City-owned right-of-way areas and green spaces, helping improve the appearance of locations including City Hall, Indian Trace Road, Bonaventure Boulevard, Three Village Road and Country Isles Road.

City officials said the tradition is an example of how thoughtful planning can create benefits that last beyond a single event. The same plants that help create memorable parade moments for families and spectators continue contributing to the city’s landscape for years afterward.

The reuse of the plants also supports Weston’s broader goals related to sustainability, responsible resource management and fiscal responsibility. By giving the decorations a permanent purpose, the city reduces waste while improving public spaces throughout the community.

The project requires creativity and careful coordination from the city’s landscaping team. Transforming the floats into colorful displays each year involves planning, design work and attention to detail, but the effort does not stop when the parade ends.

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Weston recognized the work of Thad Bielecki, Director of Landscaping, and Andy Matusevich, Assistant Director of Landscaping, for their dedication in creating the parade displays and ensuring that the plants continue providing value after the holiday celebration.

Their work allows the city to combine the excitement of a major community event with practical improvements that residents can enjoy throughout the year. The result is a tradition that celebrates both community pride and responsible use of resources.

For Weston residents, the plants that once decorated Fourth of July floats now serve as a reminder that celebrations can have a lasting impact. What begins as a temporary display of patriotic color becomes a permanent part of the city’s landscape, bringing beauty to public spaces well beyond the holiday weekend.