Peachtree City

officials want to ban candy throwing from floats this year's annual

Fourth of July Parade to avoid a tragic accident.

But parade

participants would still be allowed to hand out and throw candy and other

goodies to the public under a proposal from Peachtree City staff, said

Randy Gaddo, the city's director of leisure services.

"Half

of the candy usually ends up in the streets," tempting youngsters

and adults to venture near the path of floats to collect the treats, Gaddo

said.

"It's

just a matter of time before something happens and we're just trying to

prevent that," Gaddo said, noting that floats in the parade have

become larger as the years have gone by, and small children aren't easy

for float drivers to notice sometimes.

It can also

be difficult for parents to keep their children off the streets, Gaddo

said.

"We don't

want to stop the candy because we know that's why a lot of people come

to the parade," Gaddo added.

The matter

will be discussed by the City Council at a workshop meeting Thursday at

6 p.m. at City Hall.

The recommendation

comes from a committee consisting of representatives from several different

city departments who participate in the parade, Gaddo said.

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