Peachtree

City's annual Fourth of July parade was definitely

shorter than in years past, thanks to the Recreation

Department limiting the number of entries to 160.

The parade

took just over an hour and a half, compared to well over

two-and-a-half hours in previous years. Each entry was

also allowed only one vehicle or a maximum of two golf

carts this year.

Some float

riders did their share to keep the crowd cool, lashing

out with high-powered waterguns. Some members of the

crowd fought back with their own arsenal of waterguns.

One

gentleman in the crowd attempted to soak Maj. Mike DuPree

of the Peachtree City Police Department, who was in the

lead vehicle of the parade. The blast shot clear through

both windows and hit an innocent bystander on the other

side of the road. No charges were filed against the

shooter. He apologized to the bystander, who was happy to

get a little relief from the heat.

Some floats

gave out bottled water to help cool off parade-watchers.

This year's

parade was also messier, said Sherry McHugh, recreation

administrator for the Peachtree City Recreation

Department. "It was a little harder to clean up

because some floats threw taffy and caramel and it

started melting on the ground," she said. "Then

the trucks ran over it, too."

McHugh said

the department received raves over the fireworks show,

with some residents calling it the best they've seen in

Peachtree City for eight or nine years.

The

fireworks display included several bursts that formed

stars and planets.

The

department also received compliments from the concert

from the Peachtree Wind Ensemble. One of the more popular

selections with the crowd was the Mickey Mouse March,

which set toes a-tapping and kids marching in place.

At the fire

department's equipment exposition, the fire engine was a

big hit with the children who took the driver's seat.

The winners

in the parade float contest will be presented with their

trophies at a future council meeting, McHugh said.