A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a invest Florida that developed a twelve-foot-superior monument during town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual really need to do that?
Well, initial off, heroes are hard to find in just this commit Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, dwelling of under 500 persons in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero To place it mildly? Nobody else puts the possum to the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau acquired fed up with getting overlooked with the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each and every place in position Florida would like a festival. Instead of 1 dedicate Florida includes a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not gone to Washington County, you probably will Believe I am causeing this for being up. If you have been to Washington County, you may have an understanding of - and know Here is the true Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, experienced some pretty impressive possum politicians within the early '80s. Here i will discuss certain things they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the incredibly initially Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the developing while in the monument alongside Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even got America Congress to market place the possum. Congress joined the fun by giving the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau can have a location to help keep its annual Fun Day and Possum Competition. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, between other things, the Pageant appeals to many people every year, and so that they uncover it irresistible.
Outing For several educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is definitely the identical lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its unappealing human body only at nighttime. That is why, if you find yourself In the ideal put in position Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It is uncomplicated adequate to entice (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription for your monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's function in delivering 'both of those fur and food' all through the centuries. It goes on click here to say: 'Their presence right here has supplied a resource of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in typical instances and it has been a crucial assist to human survival way more distress and significant need.'
Giggle if you like. The people of Wausau will giggle together - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.