Weston’s two-day Hometown Fourth of July Celebration once again proved why the city is Broward’s gold standard for family-friendly patriotism. Festivities began Thursday, July 3, when nearly 10,000 residents poured into Weston Regional Park for an evening of live music, lawn games, and fireworks. Party-band Blonde Ambition kept the crowd dancing from 6-9 p.m. while kids rotated between giant Jenga, craft booth,s and themed photo stations.
Food trucks ringed the soccer fields, and a bring-your-own-bottle “water wall” helped keep single-use plastic out of landfills. The night ended with a 20-minute pyrotechnic finale that lit up Saddle Club Road.
Dawn on Independence Day belonged to runners: more than 1,200 laced up for the annual Weston 4th of July 5K, a loop that started and finished by the YMCA, awarding medals in every age group. Proceeds benefited YMCA youth-leadership programs.
After a quick turnaround (and lots of iced coffee), families lined University Drive to snag curbside shade for Weston’s signature event—the Hometown Parade, which stepped off at 10:30 a.m. under this year’s theme, “Red • White • Blue & Weston Proud.” Florida Panthers play-by-play legend Steve “Goldie” Goldstein, freshly back from calling the franchise’s historic Stanley Cup win, served as Grand Marshal and drew cheers worthy of a third-period goal. More than 70 entries rolled past, including color guards, Scout troops, marching bands, vintage Corvettes, and a confetti-blasting “birthday cake” float built by the Rotary Club.
City officials credit 200 volunteers, dozens of sponsors, and an army of public works staff for keeping traffic flowing and trash bins empty. Mayor Margaret Brown called the weekend “a postcard for what makes Weston special—neighbors celebrating together, safely and sustainably.”
With next year marking the nation’s 250th birthday, planners hint that an even bigger show is already on the drawing board. Until then, residents can relive the highlights on the city’s social channels or by searching the hashtag #Happy4thWeston—proof that in Weston, community pride really does sparkle.
