The Fourth of July is the most American of all holidays — after all, it is the celebration of the birth of our country.

The city leaders in Russellville have worked hard in previous years to put together a celebration the town can be proud of and provide city and county residents with a good Fourth of July experience without having to travel very far.

Since the start of the Jam on Sloss Lake festivities, attendance has grown each year and this year it should continue to grow as new events were added to the schedule to offer more choices for entertainment.

The Franklin County Times encourages county residents to take advantage of this event as they celebrate the Fourth of July. It is a low-cost alternative to purchasing fireworks and offers a less-crowded atmosphere than similar celebrations in bigger towns.

Heavy support also helps boost the local economy, which is crucial as Russellville and Franklin County attempt to move out of the current tough economic times.