Fourth of July celebration plans announced
When the city of Russellville planned the first Fourth of July celebration at Sloss Lake in 2009, few knew exactly how quickly the event would grow.
From the estimated 4,000 people who attended the inaugural event to the 15,000 projected to have been at last year’s, organizers continue to be amazed at the crowds.
“This gets bigger and better every year,” said Russellville city councilman Gary Cummings, who spearheaded the event from its inception.
“We want it to keep growing so it will get better and better and so that future administrations will see the importance of keeping it going. This whole thing started in 2009 because we wanted to give our residents something to do and so that people from other areas could see what a great city we have.”
The 4th Annual Jam on Sloss Lake will include a full day’s worth of activities, beginning with the 3rd Annual Cotton Flats Cruisers Car Show.
Registration for the car show will begin at 7 a.m. in the parking lot next to the FMI plant. There is a $20 registration fee. Awards will be presented as well as several door prizes. The car show will last until 2 p.m.
“The car show has been unbelievable,” Cummings said. “There have been people from all over the country calling to find out about the car show and say they are coming.”
Throughout the car show, Jacob Green and Buford Parker will provide entertainment.
Entertainment at Sloss Lake will be as follows:
• 12 – 1:45 p.m. Entourage
• 2 – 2:50 p.m. Purpose
• 3 – 3:50 p.m. Still Here
• 4 – 4:50 p.m. Muscle Shoals Mafia
• 5 – 5:55 p.m. The KGB
• 6:10 – 7:05 p.m. Rewind
• 7:20 – 8:15 p.m. Southbound
• 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Travis Wammack
One of north Alabama’s largest fireworks displays will begin at 9:45 p.m.
Cummings was quick to praise the Russellville street, park and recreation, fire and police departments for their work preparing the park and making arrangements for the activities.
“None of this would be possible without all of our departments working on this,” he said.
The Russellville gas board, electric board and water board all contributed $4,000 each to help offset some of the costs as well.
Visitors will also have a new parking area for this year’s show. The city property located across Alabama 24 from the entrance to Sloss Lake has been cleared to provide additional parking.
Cummings said four shuttles provided by the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments 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.”
