With summer just beginning, many local children are busy trying to find activities to keep them entertained and one local club will be providing a free event this weekend that will be fun for all ages.

The Franklin Civic-Social Club will be hosting their 22^nd annual Youth Outreach Day this Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Chucky Mullins Center in Russellville.

Club member Harold Vaughn said the event would feature several games and contests including a basketball three-point contest and a balloon toss. Prizes, including 10 brand new bicycles, will be given away to winners, and Vaughn said there will also be door prizes given out to the parents this year.

“We’ve had a great turnout for our Youth Outreach Day in the past and we think this will be a great year as well,” Vaughn said.

“This is not just a great event for the kids, but it’s also great for the parents as well. I know there are many parents who have come to these events and have continued to come back because they have enjoyed it and the time they spent with their children.”

Vaughn said members of the Russellville Police Department, the Russellville Fire Department, and possibly members of the Air Evac Life Team (weather permitting) would once again be participating in the event.

“We don’t want the children growing up thinking the police or the firemen are the bad guys or that they’re somebody to be afraid of,” Vaughn said.

“This is a good chance for them to meet these officers and firefighters and see that these men and women are here to help them if they ever need it.”

Vaughn said there would be patrol cars and fire trucks on display and kids would have a chance to tour the fire department’s ladder truck.

“This is always a lot of fun for the kids and we appreciate these departments giving their time to make this a fun event.”

Club member Allen Rorer said participants can also enjoy a free lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs before listening to this year’s speaker, Rev. Johnny Smith.

“We usually have a speaker every year who talks to the kids for about making good decisions and all the opportunities that are available to them if they’ll just do their best,” Rorer said. “It’s good advice that every child could benefit from hearing.

“Even though there’s a lot of fun things happening at this event, we want them to walk away from it having learned a little something, too.”

Everyone in the community is invited to attend this free event.