Reserves hosting fun day for local children

By Staff
Melissa Cason
The Russellville Police Reserves is hosting the third annual Fun Fest.
Reserve Coordinator Lt. Mike Prince said the reserve officers have been working very hard to bring this fun and educational day to the children of the community.
The Fun Fest will be held on Saturday, May 2 at the Lee Baseball Complex.
Police Chief Chris Hargett said the day will be about education, awareness and fun for children of all ages.
"There are a lot of things planned for this event," Hargett said. "We will have different emergency vehicles at the event. It's a time when kids can have fun but it's also very educational for them."
There will be information available on drug awareness, finger printing, fire safety, bicycle safety and being street smart.
"There is a lot of work that goes into planning this event," Hargett said. "And it's organized by our reserves, who are volunteers with this department."
Besides being informative, there will also be several inflatables the children can play at no charge.
Prince said there will also be drawings for prizes like cash, savings bonds, toys, and bicycles.
Hargett said there will be several booster seats given away as well.
"The booster seats were donated to us, and anyone who wishes to have one may get a booster seat at no charge," Hargett said.
The seats will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
In addition to the fun and educational aspect of the fun fest, there will also be a motorcycle poker run. The poker run will begin at 9 a.m. Each hand will cost $15. The first 50 registered for the poker run will get a free t-shirt. There will be prizes and drawings at 1 p.m.
The prizes will be as follows, first place, $300; second place, $200; and third place, $100.
All proceeds from the poker run will go to benefit the Russellville Police Reserve Program.
"We'd like to thank all our sponsors for making this possible," Prince said. "We could not do this without them"
Sponors for the Fun Fest are: Aaron's Rentals, Hometown Pharmacy, Jeff Bowling, Sen. Roger Bedford, Community Spirit Bank, CB&S Bank, First Metro Bank, G&G Steel, Bank Independent, Riley Bridge Company, Russellville Utilities, Valley State Bank, Melissa's Closet, Alabama Gun and Pawn, Trikes Unlimited, EL Quetal Buena Vista, CVS Pharmacy, Webb Oil, and Dynamic Fitness.
Prince said the fun fest began in 2007 by two reserves who wanted to serve the community.
"Ken Shannon and Chris Nichols development the idea of the Fun Fest, and they have been instrumental in planning the event.