An area in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There is a set in place Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-substantial monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person would like to accomplish that?
Well, to start with, heroes just take effort and time to analysis in this devote Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland- Wausau, residence of less than five hundred people in the midst of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you'd probably be expecting? No person else places the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, again in 1982, Wausau received fed up with being disregarded from the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Every single put in Florida wants a festival. And never one particular devote Florida includes a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you've got in no way attended Washington County, you most likely will Consider I'm generating this up. When you've got been to Washington County, you will comprehend - and know this is a legitimate story.
Wausau, it ended up, had some quite powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Allow me to share two items they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim website the quite first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the making with the monument alongside State Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained America Congress to industry the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by offering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau can have a location to keep its once-a-year Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the festival appeals to Many individuals each and every year, they usually discover it irresistible.
Trip for your couple of educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its ugly entire body only during the night time. That's why, if you are within correct location in Florida, you'll be able to listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so It is easy more than enough capture (or shoot) one.
An inscription concerning the monument in the guts of Wausau cites the possum's function in delivering 'both fur and food' through the complete hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their existence in this article has delivered an origin of nutritious and flavorful meals in typical occasions and has been a vital support to human survival in times of distress and significant want.'
Laugh if you like. The people of Wausau will giggle along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.