Fun fest deemed a successful event

By Staff
Melissa Cason
The Russellville Police Department's Reserves hosted their annual Fun Fest for area children last week, and with the help of their sponsors and volunteers, the event was successful.
Reserve Commander Mike Prince said the event had a good turnout with area children in attendance.
The event brought together education and fun activities for area children.
Besides having several large inflatables and the rock wall, there were several emergency vehicles on hand for the children to explore.
"We had a police car, a fire truck and an ambulance here for children to see and ask questions about," Prince said.
The Russellville Fire Department brought their ladder truck and their Fire Safety House to educate the children about what to do in the event of a fire.
NorthStar Paramedic Services brought in an ambulance for the children to explore.
"Children were allowed to see all the stuff on the fire truck and the ambulance," Prince said.
The department's explorers were also at the event fingerprinting children, and registering them for prizes.
Prizes were furnished by Green's Dependable Hardware, Southern Spirit and Auto Zone.
In addition to the numerous sponsors, the reserves received help from North Russellville Baptist Church.
"The North Russellville Youth Group volunteered to help us out, and run the concession stand here," Reserve Chris Nichols said. "We really appreciate their help with this because we could not have done it without our sponsors and our volunteers."
This year's fun fest was sponsored by Aarons Rentals, Hometown Pharmacy, Jeff Bowling, Sen. Roger Bedford, Community Spirit Bank, CB&S, First Metro, G&G Steel, Bank Independent, Riley Bridge Company, Russellville Utilities, Valley State Bank, Mellissa's Closet, Alabama Gun and Pawn, Trikes Unlimited, El Quetal Buena Vista, CVS Pharmacy, Webb Oil, and Dynamic Fitness.
Police Chief Chris Hargett said the goal of the event was for the department to reach out to area children.
"This is a service to the community," Hargett said. "This is the third year we had the fun fest, and it's always brought in many children from our area."
Hargett said the reserves work on the fun fest through out the year, and it's because of their hard work the fun fest exists.