The state of Alabama has officially entered into its 200^th year, and so has the City of Russellville. While Alabama’s founding was in December and Russellville’s was in November, both are celebrating with events throughout the year.

March 1 the City of Russellville will kick off its celebration at Sloss Lake, starting at 10 a.m. Bicentennial coordinator Chris Ozbirn said there will be a couple of highlights at the event.

The main focus of the kickoff will be the unveiling of a historical monument Ozbirn has been working to erect at Sloss Lake, which is the location of the original settlement made by Major Russell. Grant Atkins with Atkins Marble and Granite Works is making the monument which will have a picture on the top of it and a block of text written by Ozbirn giving a brief history of the location and the City of Russellville.

Norris Duncan drew the picture that will be on the monument; it is a recreation of how Sloss Lake used to look when the area was settled. Duncan is a friend of Ozbirn’s, so she said she knew of his artistic ability and asked him to create the drawing.

“When we were designing the monument, I thought what a perfect thing it would be to have that picture on it,” Ozbirn said.

Special guests who were also at Pioneer Day will provide a live log cabin building demonstration.