Picnics, parades and fireworks — they're all staples of the Fourth of July.

But Peachtree City's celebration will lack one of its classic features this year. The annual water battle staged by the Peachtree City Fire and Rescue Department has been canceled due to the drought, the city has announced.

The department will still demonstrate its equipment at Drake Field as in the past, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

As always, the day begins with the golf cart parade at 10 a.m., starting at Booth Middle School. During the lineup for the event and throughout the parade, traffic on Peachtree Parkway will be limited to one side of the road for traffic heading both ways.

The city predicts Ga. Highway 54 will experience significant delays during the parade.

Also, there will be no public parking available at Picnic Park or City Hall, where the annual concert by the Peachtree Wind Ensemble will be held. In fact, Willowbend Road will be closed from Hip Pocket to Highway 54 at Flat Creek.

So if you plan on being at the City Hall area for the fireworks bonanza at 9:30 p.m., it would be best to find an alternate form of transportation or find a good parking space nearby.

Peachtree City administrative offices will be closed Monday and Tuesday along with the Library and Kedron Fieldhouse. But all city pools will be open both days from 1-6 p.m.

Also, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) urges residents to use extreme caution with outdoor grilling and fireworks displays due to the severe drought the state is experiencing.

“The ground and vegetation are so dry that rainfall is quickly soaked up and the ground is just as dry as it was before,” said Roger Browning, a fire prevention coordinator for GFC. “Georgia's woodlands are under stress and the danger of fire is very high.”

GFC officials also pointed out that the use and possession of fireworks in Georgia is illegal.

The Georgia State Patrol is also urging motorists to exercise caution during the holidays. The GSP predicts as many as 22 people may die in traffic accidents during the extended July Fourth weekend.

Last year, 12 people died in traffic crashes on Georgia highways during a shorter July Fourth holiday period.

Col. Bob Hightower of the GSP said troopers will be concentrating on impaired drivers, speeding motorists and violations of the car seat and seat belt laws.

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