How An Overgrown Weed Became Part Of A Big Holiday Tradition In One Delaware Town

By Greg Argos

CLAYMONT, Del., (CBS) -- At the annual Claymont, Delaware Christmas Parade, Santa isn't the star. Rather, an overgrown weed captures the town's attention.

"It's in the first vehicle," explained Dee Wildin, who helped plan the parade for years.

The weed, known as the Christmas Weed has been a Claymont tradition since 1993. That's when someone decorated a weed that had grown through the cracks near the Philadelphia Pike/495 interchange. One night someone removed it, and then next night, another potted one appeared. Ever since the town has decorated and displayed a Christmas weed during the month of December.

"Claymont is a resilient town. We're a blue collar hard working town and the weed is just so strong. It's just us. I mean it's the same kind of people. It comes back year after year. You knock us down, we come back," explained Barbara Harbin, who planned this year's event.

"How did you find this year's weed?" asked CBS3 reporter Greg Argos.

"I go looking in a forested area that has a lot of underbrush and I go looking for one," replied Harbin.

"You're just making sure it's not poison ivy or anything right?" replied Argos.

"I don't guarantee anything," joked Harbin.

This year, hundreds of people participated in the parade, including Claymont native George Fantini.

"I walk with a group of guys that are all Claymont guys. We're called the ROMEOs. Retired Old Men Eating Out," said Fantini, referring to his group of friends that meet monthly for lunch.

"We were in the parade," he continued.

Claymont natives say they love the event, especially the homegrown song about the weed that was crafted in 2001.