Did you know that Washington County is home to one of the first commercial oil wells ever drilled in Florida? In 1919, a string of wells was dug in eastern Washington County by independent oil seekers following a rumor of oil beneath the hills. One such well was dug at what is now Falling Waters State Park. It was a remarkable achievement, reaching a depth of 3,900 feet – an astonishing feat given the technology of the time and the location of the hole. While there was a brief moment of hope when the drillers found a pocket of natural gas, the well ultimately failed to produce anything of use and was capped.
A few decades after drilling had ended, a cow fell into one of the sludge pits. The event was covered by multiple newspapers, leading to an outcry of public concerns about the “dangers” of the site. International Paper, then-owners of the land the well was on, ended up passing the deed to the land to Washington County. This land is at the center of the now-established Falling Waters State Park. While the well was unproductive for commercial oil quantities, it did eventually lead to a wonderful treasure for the people of Washington County and the wildlife of the area.
Visit Falling Waters today to see the old oil well along the park’s nature trail, just around the bend after Florida’s tallest waterfall!
First Assembly Marianna is hosting a Spring FAMfest on April 2nd from 3-5 pm. It’s a free, family-friendly event. There will be games, food, prizes, facepaint, a kidzone, balloon art, inflatables, AND pictures with the Easter Bunny. Come out and experience FAMily. Located at 4186 Lafayette Street in Marianna. 
Mid-South Lumber Co of Northwest Florida invites you to visit their Farm, Garden, Craft & Animal Swap next Saturday, January 14th! The FREE event will run from 8am to 2pm. The Swap will feature plenty of local vendors with fresh produce, baked items, canned goods, hand-made arts & crafts, plants, small animals, and more. The January Farm & Craft Swap will be held at 
Today is the last day of Christmas City by Sunland Center. From 6-8 PM tonight, visit Sunland Ranch in Marianna to enjoy a night of Christmas lights, live entertainment, food vendors, and wagon tours. Sunland is asking for a $5 donation per car to help fund the Christmas City event. For more information, contact them by phone at (850) 482-9373. 
Today was the first day of the Foo Foo Festival’s Bubble Alley. Bubble Alley is a free public art exhibit that will be on display from November 3-14. The display features thousands of reusable vinyl bubbles suspended above Intendencia Street. Bubble Alley is brought to the public by the Friends of Downtown Pensacola. The exhibit will be walkable from the downtown shops, bars, galleries, and restaurants. Learn more by visiting the