The 6th Annual Jam on Sloss Lake is set for this Friday in Russellville and will include food, games, entertainment and a firework show.

City officials are planning for yet another big turnout for Friday’s Jam on Sloss Lake Fourth of July celebration.

Estimates have put the number of visitors in excess of 15,000 for the past two years.

“It has done exactly what we hoped it would do when we started hosting this in 2009,” said city councilman Gary Cummings, who helps spearhead the event each year.

“We wanted it to grow each year to become better and better so that Russellville residents would have a safe, fun way to spend the Fourth and so that people outside the city could come here to see what we have to offer. I think it has done both.”

The 6^th Annual Jam on Sloss Lake will include a full day’s worth of activities, beginning with the 5^th Annual Cotton Flats Cruisers Car Show.

This is an open show for vehicles, tractors, and motorcycles.  Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the show will end at 2 p.m. The registration fee is $20 per vehicle, tractor, or motorcycle.  If a person brings more than one vehicle, tractor, or motorcycle, registration for the first entry is $20 and each additional entry is $15. Each person that registers a vehicle, tractor, or motorcycle in the show is eligible to win the grand prize, which is a 350 crate engine.  Participants will also be eligible to win one of ten $100 bills that will be given away. There will also be a “People’s Choice” and “Mayor’s Choice” trophy awarded. Swap meet vendors are welcomed.

Throughout the car show, Jacob Green, Buford Parker and Joseph Baldwin will provide entertainment.

Entertainment at Sloss Lake will be as follows:

• 1 – 3 p.m. Entourage (local youth talent)

• 3: 20 – 4:15 p.m. Still Here

• 4:30 – 5:25 p.m. Purpose

• 5:40 – 6:35 p.m. Dixie Mafia

• 6:50 – 8:15 p.m. Southbound

• 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Rewind

• 10 – 11 p.m. Kerry Gilbert Band

One of north Alabama’s largest fireworks displays will begin at 9:30 p.m. The Russellville Gas Board, Russellville Electric Board, and Russellville Water & Sewer Board all contributed to help offset some of the costs.

Visitors will be able to park across from the park area and shuttle services will be available. The city property located across Alabama 24 from the entrance to Sloss Lake has been cleared to provide additional parking. Cummings said shuttles will transport visitors back and forth to the park area throughout the afternoon and night.

“I believe we have a great lineup planned throughout the day and the fireworks show should be really good,” Cummings said.

“We just want to encourage everyone to bring their lawn chair and bring their friends. This is a chance for everyone to have a good time together celebrating the Fourth of July right here in Russellville.”

Food vendors will be open throughout the day as well.

Russellville Mayor David Grissom commended Cummings for his efforts to make sure the city has a first-class Independence Day celebration.

“Councilman Cummings puts a lot of time and effort into making this what it is and I thank him for that,” Grissom said.

“I think we have a very good celebration each year and a lot of city employees, volunteers and all of the city departments as well as the water, gas and electric boards make that possible. A lot of teamwork goes into making something like this happen.”