Red Level Mayor Mike Purnell said Friday the town’s “Homecoming 2010” celebration will also serve as a kickoff to raise funds for an access road to the recently announced Dollar General store.

Set for July 3, Purnell said the day will begin with a pancake and sausage breakfast at 7:30 a.m., followed by barbecue sandwiches for lunch.

Purnell said the cost of the sandwiches is $5 and Shane Cook and other members of the community will prepare the lunch.

All the funds raised will go toward the building costs of constructing a side access road to the town’s yet-to-be completed Dollar General store.

Announced in mid-March, the new store is the first economic development announcement of its type for the city in years.

No specific dates have been announced for the construction of the 9,014 square-foot store on Alabama Hwy. 55; however, Purnell said previously he felt that construction should be completed by late summer or early fall.

“We are raising these funds for matching money; we don’t know what kind yet and we don’t know how much it will cost and we realize it will take more than we will get from this fundraiser,” Purnell said.

Purnell said this road is needed to ensure safety of the residents and for convenience so they don’t have to travel on Hwy 55.

While the town will benefit from the celebration, Purnell said it will be a “day of fun.”

After the breakfast, which will be held at the FEMA building on County Road 107 in the main business district, Purnell said there will be a dedication ceremony for both the building and a new plaque/marker given to the town by the governor.

The recently restored fire siren will kick off the day’s festivities in the Crystal Springs picnic park, where there will be singing and vendors set up around 10 a.m.

Purnell said vendors are still needed for the event, and anyone interested can contact town clerk Tonya Cook at 469-5351.

“We will have local entertainment, a karaoke contest, and a fireworks show will end the night around 9 p.m. on Saturday,” he said.