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

There's a put set up Florida that developed a twelve-foot-substantial monument in the heart of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone desire to accomplish that?
Nicely, to get started on, heroes choose effort and time to analysis in this position in Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland - Wausau, property of less than 500 folks in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero To place it mildly? No one else places the possum over a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, again 1982, Wausau obtained Unwell and exhausted with becoming neglected While using the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each individual spend Florida demands a Competition. And not just one place in Florida incorporates a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have never absent to Washington County, you probably will Assume I'm causeing this to become up. When you've got been to Washington County, you are going to realize - and know this can be a correct Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, experienced some really highly effective possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are two things they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to the constructing from the monument alongside Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even acquired The usa Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by providing the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a spot to carry its yearly Enjoyable Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other items, the Pageant draws in tons of people each and yearly, moreover they adore it.
Outing for many educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you simply get more info call opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will execute?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its ugly overall body only at nighttime. This is why, when you're inside the right make investments Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It'll be not challenging to capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription throughout the monument for the duration of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in offering 'both fur and foods' in the course of the full generations. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has furnished a source of nutritious and flavorful foods in normal occasions and it has been a vital aid to human survival in instances of distress and demanding need.'
Giggle if you love. The people today of Wausau will chuckle along with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.