By Matt Wilson

For the FCT

The Russellville Parks and Recreation Department hosted the second annual “Movie in the Park” on July 3 to help kick off the Fourth of July festivities including the Jam on Sloss Lake.

Parks and Recreation director Chad Sears said the turnout was great and he hopes to see it continue to grow.

“We probably had about 300 people out there and that’s up from last year,” Sears said.

“I think it can keep growing and I hope to see it do so.”

Sears said the weather for the entire weekend was great and probably helped the turnout.

“You just couldn’t beat the weather this weekend,” Sears said. “It was just about perfect.”

Sears said the Parks and Recreation Department plans on continuing the Movie in the Park as an annual event to help kick off the Jam on Sloss Lake festivities.

“I think it is something that all the children really enjoy and I think the parents that come out enjoy it too,” Sears said.

Sears said people helped to transport kids to the event this year and he was thankful for that.

“There was a lady who helped bring kids out to the movie and that was a big help,” Sears said.

“I would like to continue to get the word out more and maybe be able to help transport more kids into the park for the movie.”

Sears said in the future he is considering showing movies in the park for other events.

“We are thinking about showing another movie in the park during our fall festival,” Sears said. “And we will probably show the Iron Bowl out there again like we did last year, too.”