AMERICUS — Once again the Sumter County Federation of Garden Clubs and the Sumter Men’s Garden Club have teamed up to host a local bloom camellia show. The show will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday January 29 at the Lee Council House located at 318 East Church Street. This year’s show “Beauty in Winter” is in honor of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Wise, camellia enthusiasts from Plains.

Entries for the show will be accepted from 8 a.m.-10 .m. the morning of the show at the Lee Council House. Specimens for the show can be any type of camellia with a one or two inch stem having at least one leaf attached. There will be accredited judges who will determine winners in the various categories.

Local poodle pals, pictured, Leala Tyson and Bella Teaford have spent many afternoons walking around the historic district admiring and marking their favorite camellias.

This year’s show will be packed with participants with one goal in mind….winning best in show.  Dr. Henry Teaford entered his first camellia show at last year’s event. Teaford, a Cinderella story, from out of nowhere, won 2nd place overall. He was only bested by local camellia goliath, Frank Wilson. Teaford will be back with victory on his mind this year.

The Honorable Rucker Smith, jurist-Methodist-horticulturalist has entered his Pink Perfection twice and has come away a winner both times for that category. He welcomes all challengers to try to prevent his Three-peat on Church Street.

Jeanie Tyson won a category with a bloom from her Gee Homeyer, which came from a plant she won at a show in Americus six years prior. Tyson will be bringing her A-game to this year’s show.  Mrs. Tyson appears to be a genteel Southern woman, but when it comes to winning, the late Packer coach Vince Lombardi, sums up her views, “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser.”

An unnamed West Dodson Street resident who refers to himself as L.T., entered multiple blooms in 2012, but did not make it to the head table said “This year I plan to unleash the dogs of war in order to be victorious at the 2013 competition.”

It is rumored, but not yet confirmed that all eight ESPN channels, NBC, CBS, and the BBC will cover the show, but don’t run the risk of your T.V. being on the blink and missing this once in a lifetime event.  There is no admission fee so come by the Lee Council House on Tuesday January 29th to see the event that is billed to be larger and have a greater magnitude in sporting events than The Thrilla in Manilla, The Rumble in the Jungle or Godzilla vs. Gork.

Note: Resale of tickets at exorbitant prices (scalping) is illegal.