A spot in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum

There is a put in Florida that crafted a 12-foot-superior monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one may possibly love to do that?
Properly, to start with, heroes are tricky to discover on this make investments Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, household of below five hundred folks in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to mention the least? Nobody else puts the possum on a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back in 1982, Wausau obtained Bored with staying overlooked of your Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Every area in Florida wishes a Competition. And never one particular devote Florida features a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you most likely will think I am generating this up. When you have attended Washington County, you can have an understanding of - and know It's really a accurate story.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some very potent possum politicians while in the early '80s. Here i will discuss certain things they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to your making of the monument alongside State Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even acquired The us Congress in advertising and marketing the get more info possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by supplying the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a location to hold its annual Enjoyable Day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the Pageant attracts a lot of people annually, and in order that they uncover it irresistible.
Outing for many educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum will be the similar lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and reveals its unpleasant overall body only during the night. That's why, if you are inside ideal put set up Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It can be easy enough to lure (or shoot) just one.
An inscription about the monument in the guts of Wausau cites the possum's function in giving 'both of those fur and foods' throughout the hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has presented a source of nutritious and flavorful meals in regular occasions and it's been A vital aid to human survival when in distress and significant want.'
Snicker If you would like. The men and women of Wausau will laugh along with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.