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

There is a location in Florida that crafted a 12-foot-significant monument all through town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual have to do that?
Very well, initial off, heroes are difficult to come by inside of this commit Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, home of much less than five hundred folks in the middle of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you would hope? Nobody else puts the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, again in 1982, Wausau received Weary of staying ignored in the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each and every set in position Florida needs a Competition. Rather than one particular devote Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have not gone to Washington County, you most likely will Believe I'm causeing this being up. For those who have been to Washington County, you will recognize - and know This is actually the genuine Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, had some rather highly effective possum politicians in the early '80s. read more Allow me to share a set of factors they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the setting up through the monument alongside State Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even got The us Congress in marketing the possum. Congress joined the fun by way of providing the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a site to assistance its annual Pleasurable Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among other issues, the Competition appeals to Many people on a yearly basis, and so they like it.
Trip for the couple of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will almost certainly do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its ugly entire body only in the evening. This is why, In case you are inside correct spot in Florida, you may hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', consequently it's not so challenging capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription with the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's position in furnishing 'each fur and foods' all over the generations. It goes on to say: 'Their presence here has offered a source of nutritious and flavorful food items in usual moments and has been a crucial guide to human survival way more distress and demanding have to have.'
Giggle if you like. The people today of Wausau will laugh alongside - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.