Fiery hues of red, orange and yellow lit up the night sky Thursday as residents brought their Fourth of July celebrations to a close.

Despite a gloomy forecast, the city of Valley Grande followed through with their Independence Day fireworks show. And it was a good thing they did, as droves of residents throughout Dallas County came out to watch the spectacular show, which was held at the city baseball fields.

“All day long it seemed like the rain went around us,” said Valley Grande Mayor Wayne Labbe. “It was a very nice day, probably the coolest Fourth of July we’ve ever seen.”

Before the fireworks show, residents enjoyed a host of games at the city walking trails along with tasty American dishes, provided by vendors.

Hotdogs, hamburgers and barbecue were the staple dishes of the day, Labbe said.

“Our food vendors probably did better than they ever had,” he said with a laugh. “Everybody that came out seemed to really enjoy it.”

And although the day celebrations were a success, it wasn’t until the sun went down and residents began unfolding chairs in the back of their trucks that the real show began. The fireworks show, Labbe said, was hands down one of the best he’s ever seen in the city.

“The finale was just phenomenal,” he said. “I’m happy so many people came out to watch it.”

Because the city of Selma cancelled its Fourth celebrations, Labbe said Valley Grande had an extra influx of residents who came out to Valley Grande to celebrate Independence Day.

“Even Mayor Evans showed up near the end,” Labbe said with a smile.

And while the games, vendors and fireworks show were all a success, Labbe said the city is looking for the Fourth to be bigger and better next year.

“We hope to expand next year—there’s even talk of having a watermelon seed spittin’ competition,” he said. “We just want our residents to have a good time.”