In June 25 Issue
By Derek Aaron
Times Journal Reporter

The city of Russell Springs has finalized its Independence Day Celebration schedule in the wake of Jamestown's Lakefest cancellation and given the festivities a home, Veteran's Fairgrounds in Russell Springs.

The city had previously planned to have the celebration on Main St. but the fairgrounds offered a much larger, more organized location to hold the event, according to local officials.

"Everything has come together quite nicely," said Russell Springs Mayor Hollis DeHart. "We've had a lot of volunteer help, it's been a community effort."

After the Russell Springs City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to hold an Independence Day celebration, the city worked to fill the event's slots with entertaining and fun-filled activities for all parties.

An Independence Day Celebration volunteer committee met twice a week over the past few weeks before the city released a schedule of events on Monday afternoon.

"Everyone has an assignment," he said. "Everyone is in charge of their own events and that is what it takes to be successful."

The mayor said 25-30 volunteers from all over the county have assisted in planning the celebration. DeHart also commended his office staff for stepping up to the plate in this time of need.

"I didn't anticipate this much help but the people have been super," DeHart said. "People have given donations and I think the people will be pleased."

"We have a great fireworks show planned," he said. "We're almost ready to go."

The celebration will kick off on July 3 at 1 p.m. with the ESPN Radio 1060 golf scramble at Lakewood Country Club.

There is a $200 entry per team with first place getting $800, second place getting $400 and third place receiving $200.

For more information on the scramble and how to enter contact Joey Hoover at 270-566-4701.

At 5 p.m., the pre-teen, teen, Miss and Mrs. Beauty contests will be held under the shelter in the grove. Michelle Smith is the contact person for these events and can be reached at 270-634-2588.

On July 4, the events begin bright and early at 8 a.m. with the opening ceremonies, a welcome by Mayor Hollis DeHart, the singing of the National Anthem and the raising of the flag by the Russell County High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

At 8:15 a.m., the mini-marathon sponsored by Jamestown Health Care, Lake Cumberland State Park, Duo County Telephone and Forward Motion will begin at the fairgrounds. Stephanie Johnson and Jill White can be contacted to enter into the race. Johnson can be reached at 270-566-0271 and White can be reached at 270-585-3324.

The children's patriotic parade and contest begins at 9 a.m. with former Jamestown mayor June McGaha overseeing the event. McGaha can be reached at 270-343-5948.

Also at 9 a.m., the fancy car and tractor display is slated to begin with Matthew Thomas overseeing. Thomas can be reached at 270-566-0869.

At 9:30 a.m., the baby show, tiny miss and mister and little miss and mister will begin under the shelter in the grove. For more information on this event you can contact Michelle Smith at 270-634-2588.

The pet show begins at 10 a.m. in the covered shed at the fairground. Awards and prizes will be given for the tallest, shortest, most patriotic, best trick, best costume, longest ears, best tail wagger, most unusual and owner-pet lookalike.

For more information on the show contact Susan Donaghue or Carrie Miller at 270-866-3900.

From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. a quilt show will be ongoing at the Floral Hall. Entrants must bring their quilts and a short history of the quilt into the hall by Friday between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

For more information on the quilt display contact Janet Wilkerson at 270-566-3033 or 270-343-3413.

Children's games begin at 11 a.m. with Shawna Wallace in charge. Wallace can be reached at 270-858-3976.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Luke Burton Memorial Cruise-in featuring Another Level and various low riders begins. For more information on this event, contact Kevin Johnson at 270-343-4129.

The kid's pedal tractor pull begins at 1 p.m. under the covered shed. To enter, contact Jill Popplewell at 270-866-1934.

Up next will be the lip sync and talent show. The lip sync begins at 1 p.m. while the talent show will start at 2:30 p.m. under the shelter in the grove. For more information or to enter either of these events, contact Carolyn Williams at 270-343-4478.

The night's musical entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. on the stage, which will be placed on the track in front of the bleachers.

The winners of the lip sync and talent contests will perform as well as a comedic performance by the Moron Brothers. The music will be capped off for the night by the Wrangler Band.

At 10 p.m., the fireworks show caps off the first-ever Russell Springs Independence Day Celebration.

A full schedule of events along with entry information and prices can be seen on the back page of this issue.

Admission is free to all and all registration forms can be picked up at the Times Journal, Russell Springs City Hall, the Main Event or the Russell Register.