Airport gears up for grand reopening

The Russellville Municipal Airport is getting ready to celebrate its grand reopening, unveiling the completed runway resurfacing project, with music, free food and drinks and fun.

The reopening event will be held Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Prior to that, a pancake breakfast and fly-in for local pilots will take place from 7-9 a.m.

Emily Evans, manager of Explore Aviation, the management company for the airport, said attendees will have the opportunity to see airplanes and helicopters up close, as well as talk with pilots and sign up for airplane rides. “We’re trying to get sponsorships so we can some drawings for free flights,” Evans added.

Evans said the recently finished project had been in the works for some time, noting time was required for funding and getting everything scheduled.

“We started the runway resurfacing project, which took around two months, roughly about the middle of April and finished around the middle of June,” added Evans.

Evans said other aspects of the project include new drains for the drainage system to make sure the water will run off of the runway correctly, as well as new LED runway lights – all features she described as important safety upgrades.

A ribbon cutting will kick off the events for the general public at 9 a.m. It will be followed by TVA aircraft showcases, rides and demonstrations. There will also be a World War II display, and the Russellville Fire Department will be on site with its smokehouse.

For more information, call the airport at 256-331-9000 or visit its Facebook page.