City officials are planning for yet another big turnout for Thursday’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 5th Annual Jam on Sloss Lake will include a full day’s worth of activities, beginning with the 4th 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 grand prize winner will receive a 350 GM crate engine.
Throughout the car show, Jacob and Adam Green and Buford Parker will provide entertainment.
Entertainment at Sloss Lake will be as follows:
• 12 – 2 p.m. Entourage
• 2 – 2:55 p.m. Still Here
• 2:55 – 3:50 p.m. Purpose
• 4 – 4:55 p.m. Muscle Shoals Mafia
• 5:05 – 6 p.m. Rewind
• 6:15 – 7:10 p.m. Travis Wammack
• 7:25 – 8:10 p.m. Southbound
• 8:25 – 9:30 p.m. KGB
One of north Alabama’s largest fireworks displays will begin at 9:40 p.m.
The Russellville gas board, electric board and water 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.”