Onlookers ooh’ed and ahh’ed as the brilliant colors and ground-shaking pop filled the air over Sloss Lake. Blankets and lawn chairs filled the grassy area, and children and adults alike admired the pyrotechnic display.

By Alison James

alison.james@fct.wpengine.com

The Jam on Sloss Lake was dampened but not washed out by the rain that rolled through Northwest Alabama July 4.

Southbound, the Kerry Gilbert Band and Rewind, as well as some of the local youth talent, still took the stage beginning about 5 p.m. Saturday, and a spectacular fireworks show lit the night sky to round out the evening.

Penny Grant has been to the event the past three or four years with her children.

“I thought it was going to be canceled,” Grant said. But since the show went on, Grant, her children – and thousands of other people – braved the drizzle and celebrated Independence Day at Sloss Lake.

B.W. and Wanda Hulsey of Haleyville, with Jonathan, Anna, Ava Grace and Ainsley Brooks of Wilsonville, were out for their second year at the Jam on Sloss Lake.

“It’s kind of become our new tradition,” Anna said. “It’s a great place for family.”

Councilman Gary Cummings said although the turnout suffered slightly because of the weather, people were still turning out early for the abbreviated festivities and a fantastic event, with fireworks presented by Alabama Pyrotechnics.

“We had people there at 2 p.m.” prior to activities beginning at 5 p.m., said Cummings. “Everybody there got soaking wet.”

Cummings said he was “tickled to death” with the turnout and this year’s events. He thanked everyone who attended, as well as the bands that were unable to perform because of the weather Saturday. Those performances have been rescheduled to Labor Day weekend, along with the car show, which will all be held in downtown Russellville.