Independence Day in Troup County concluded with fireworks over West Point Lake, then 24 hours later, the real thing rolled in.

Other than Sunday’s thunderstorms and a truck fire after crowds departed Pyne Road Park, the holiday weekend was celebratory but quiet, officials said.

The daylong celebration at Pyne Road Park, especially the fireworks display at dark, was well-attended with no significant problems, according to Tod Tentler, assistant county manager.

But about an hour after the crowds departed, the truck that held the fireworks caught fire.

Workers from Pyrotecnico, a fireworks company headquartered in Pennsylvania, were loading the spent cartridges from the fireworks into a Budget rental truck about an hour after the show ended. The cardboard cartridges began to smoke, then flames burned out of the top of the van, an onlooker said.

Troup County firefighters were still at the lake and responded to yells from the workers.

“There was a lot of smoke and a lot of flames,” said Lt. Jeb Howington with the Troup County fire department.

It took less than an hour to extinguish the fire, which was confined to the cargo section of the truck, with damage estimated at $6,000.

“There were no fireworks left in the truck, which was a good thing,” Howington said.

The Army Corps of Engineers reported a busy but safe day on West Point Lake.

“In my 18 years here, I had never seen this many people at the lake,” said corps’ spokesman David Barr. “Our campgrounds were full all week and at our day-use areas, people were fighting over picnic tables. … Everyone seemed to keep safety in mind.”

Saturday’s Sweet Land of Liberty parade in downtown LaGrange honored grand marshal Alton West and celebrated the environmental theme “Red, white and blue goes green.”

Youngsters used recycled materials to build floats, urged onlookers to “keep America beautiful” and rolled down Church Street in a “wind-powered” wagon. They didn’t forget to honor veterans and American symbols like the Statue of Liberty and Old Glory. One even paid tribute to the late entertainer Michael Jackson.

Grand prize went to youngsters from the Cloisters neighborhood for their group entry, “Alternative transportation: Good for our nation and God’s creation.” The group of about 40 children from 2 years to 16 years designed and painted a banner and each rode in the parade on a form of alternative transportation: scooter, bike and even a set of roller skates.

The neighborhood children and their friends have entered the parade for the past 16 years. The event is an opportunity “to teach our children about patriotism and make great family memories. Mrs. Annette (Boyd, the parade co-founder) is a treasure in our family,” said Claire Batchelor, a mom who helped organize the project.

Other winners included “Be cool, car pool,” by Leanne Woodham, Lindsey Woodham and Camille Preston, first; Rockin’ Recyclers from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, second place; and “Remember our vets,” third.

Judges were Jesse Liechty and Sandy Thurek.

West , community development director for the city of LaGrange and a former LaGrange police DARE officer, was honored with proclamations from LaGrange Mayor Jeff Lukken and Gov. Sonny Perdue.

The parade program was led by Tentler and five 2009 senior award winners, including Suzanna Cipolla of Lafayette Christian School, Lady Liberty award; Carol Jabaley of LaGrange High School, American Eagle award; Corley Major of LaGrange Academy, Liberty Bell award; Chelsea Grace Brown of Callaway High School, American Flag award; and Rebecca Henderson of Troup High School, Proud American award.

Teanna Glenn performed the national anthem and Anna Jo Taylor sang “God Bless the U.S.A.”

The 2009 parade, the 25th since the event began in 1985, was sponsored by Troup County Parks and Recreation Commission and produced and directed by LaGrange Junior Service League. JSL members Mary Anna Wilson and Katy Haralson were parade chairman and co-chairman, respectively. The parade committee included Karyn Hunnicutt, Shea Liechty, Fiona Westmoreland and Christy White.

Following the parade, the Troup County Coalition and local NAACP chapter sponsored a multicultural festival with vendors and children’s activities on Lafayette Square.