“Century Plant Festival” Set for Saturday July 11 at Russ House

Proceeds to Benefit Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida have joined together to create a unique one-time community festival on Saturday, July 11th at the Historic Russ House. This festival celebrates the rare, extraordinary “once in its lifetime” blooming of the Century Plant located in front of the Russ House, while raising funds for The Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation.

The Russ House Century Plant started its blooming process in early April, and now just three months later is over 30 feet tall. The “flower stalk” of the plant grew over 6 inches per day and is expected to be in full bloom around the weekend of the festival.

Local artists will be doing a “Quick Draw” of scenes of the Century plant and Russ House from 9:30am – 11:30am, followed by a live auction of their “Quick Draw” paintings between noon and 1:00pm. A silent auction of other works of local art will also take place in the upstairs banquet room from 9:30am till 1:00pm. Half of all proceeds from the sale of artwork will go to the Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation to help preserve this icon of Jackson County.

About a dozen harvested “babies” (or “pups” as they are often called) of the Russ House Century Plant will also be available for purchase at the live auction, with all proceeds going to the Foundation. Take home a live souvenir from the Russ House to plant in your own yard and watch grow over the years. A certificate of authenticity will be provided with each baby century Plant sold.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon slices, boiled peanuts, popcorn, cotton candy, sodas, water, and other food and refreshments will be available for sale throughout the event, and a popular local band will provide entertainment. Net proceeds of all food and refreshment sales will also go to the Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation.

For a $5 donation to the Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation, people can visit the upstairs veranda of the Russ House and have their picture taken with the blooms of the Century Plant just inches away in the background.

Come early and watch the artists in action from 9:30am to 11:30am. Enjoy food, refreshments, and entertainment from 10:30am till 1:00pm. Plan to buy one of the artist’s original creations and take home a one-of-a-kind original souvenir of the event. Don’t miss this unique and special festival, while helping support the upkeep of the beautiful Historic Russ House.

Century Plant Facts:
The myth, and thus the name, implies that the Century Plant blooms only once a century. The truth is that it blooms only once in its lifetime, and the lifetime of the plant is 10-35 years, with an average blooming cycle of 25-28 years. The bloom grows so fast, about 5” to 6” per day to a height of up to 35 feet, that it saps the life out of the mother plant and will ultimately kill it.

The Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation, Inc.
The Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)3 tax exempt public charity whose purpose is to promote, sponsor, support, and implement the provision of long term sustainable funding for the maintenance of the Historic Russ House located in Marianna, Florida in perpetuity. For more information, contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 850-482-8060, or email info@jacksoncounty.com.

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit membership association of over 450 members that is organized to advance the general welfare and prosperity of Jackson County, Florida, so that its citizens and its business community shall prosper. The Chamber seeks to ensure a strong economic climate and a thriving economy that will provide economic stability in our community and quality of life for all Jackson County citizens. For more information, contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 850-482-8060, or email info@jacksoncounty.com.

The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida, Inc.
The Artist’s Guild of Northwest Florida is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization that seeks to enrich the cultural and artistic life of Northwest Florida and the surrounding area through educational programs and opportunities in the visual, performing and literary arts. For more information, contact The Artist Guild of Northwest Florida at 850-557-0655, or email mtk4art@embarqmail.com.