The Princess Theatre has been a north Alabama landmark for more than a century. Beginning as a livery stable in 1887, it was transformed into a silent film and vaudeville playhouse in 1919. This Decatur heirloom has a long and colorful history and holds memories that are dear to many of our citizens' hearts. With local, state and federal funding cuts, the Princess Center for the Performing Arts needs your help. Our original idea of selling heirloom plants to support our heirloom landmark has evolved to a weekend chock full of activities. Read on below to see what's on the schedule. We hope to see you there!

FRIDAY, APRIL 13 - Kick Off Preview Party

Friday night the doors will open at 6:00. Enjoy appetizers compliments of Albany Bistro. Come sip some wine or beer and enjoy the music of The Dean Martinis from Nashville, TN. Meet the artists and vendors participating in this event. Beat the crowd and be the first see the heirloom roses and hydrangea collection. In addition to having first pick of our wonderful plants, you will also be able to view and purchase art which has been produced and donated by local and regional artists especially for this event and bid on the silent auction items.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 - Heirloom Plant Sale, Presentations, Vendor Exhibits, Art Show and Sale

There's a lot going on Saturday so be sure to wear your walking shoes! We have five speakers who will be presenting a variety of topics but all garden-related. Speakers will be in the auditorium at the Princess. The vendor showcase "Garden Delights" will open in the Deco Lounge at 9:00 a.m. Our plant sale, art show and sale as well as the silent auction will continue throughout the day. Please check the schedule page to see exact times of activities. Concessions will be available for purchase at the Princess in the Sexton Lobby.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15 - Felder Rushing Lecture and Booksigning

Sunday we will wrap up our weekend with Felder Rushing, a 10th-generation American gardener whose pioneer ancestors settled across the Southeast, bringing many plants with them. Rushing's overstuffed, quirky cottage garden has been featured in many TV programs and magazines (including a cover of Southern Living), and includes a huge variety of weather-hardy plants along with a collection of folk art. There is no turf grass, just plants, yard art, and "people places."

The author or co-author of 16 gardening books (including several national award winners) and former Extension Service urban horticulture specialist (fully retired, at an early age) has written thousands of gardening columns in syndicated newspapers, and has had hundreds of articles and photographs published in regional and national garden magazines, including Garden Design, Horticulture, Garden Weekly (an English publication), Landscape Architecture, Better Homes and Gardens, Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening, and the National Geographic.

Felder's talk, "Slow Gardening-All Senses, All Year, Regardless of Style or Expertise" will be in the Princess auditorium at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 15. Rushing says his presentations are "highly appreciated by folks who normally don't join clubs; it is 'Garden Variety Gardener Friendly'." You are invited to come hear Felder Rushing and have a cup of lemonade and light refreshments. He will also be signing copies of his books. For more information about Felder Rushing, check out his website.