Century Plant Festival planned

Move over watermelons, peanuts, pecans and possums — an unusually tall plant will be the centerpiece of a festival, this one to raise money for the Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation. 
The Century Plant Festival,  hosted by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida, is slated for Saturday, July 11 at the Russ House in Marianna. The festival, much like the plant, is only meant to bloom once.
The theme was inspired by the century plant growing in front of the Russ House, which began blooming in early April and is now more than 30 feet tall.
According to the chamber, the flower stalk of the plant grew more than six inches a day and is expected to be in full bloom around the weekend of the festival.
Festival-goers will find much to do at the event.
Local artists will be doing a “Quick Draw” of scenes of the century plant and the Russ House from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a live auction of their “Quick Draw” paintings between noon and 1 p.m.
A silent auction of other works by local art will also take place in the upstairs banquet room from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Half of all proceeds from the sales will go to the Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation.
About a dozen harvested pups of the Russ House century plant will also be available for purchase at the live auction, with all proceeds going to the foundation.
In case no one believes the buyers’  “tall tale,” 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 refreshments will be available for sale throughout the event.
A local band will provide entertainment.
Net proceeds of all food and refreshment sales will also go to the foundation.
For a $5 donation to the 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.
The Historic Russ House Endowment Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)3 tax exempt public charity.
It’s purpose is to “promote, sponsor, support and implement the provision of long-term, sustainable funding for the maintenance of the historic Russ House” according to the chamber. The Russ House serves as the chamber’s headquarters.
For more information, contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 850-482-8060, or e-mail .