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

There is a spend Florida that crafted a 12-foot-substantial monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one would like to do that?
Very well, to start with, heroes get time and effort to exploration Within this place set up Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, household of less than 500 folks in the midst of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero To place it mildly? No person else places the possum around a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau acquired sick and Sick and tired of becoming omitted within the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each individual dedicate Florida desires a festival. Rather than a single set in place Florida includes a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you probably will Feel I'm generating this up. In case you have attended Washington County, you may comprehend - and know It's a correct Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some fairly potent possum politicians over the early '80s. Here's a number of issues they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to your making With all the monument together State Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even acquired The usa Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by means of delivering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would've a locale to hold its once-a-year Enjoyable Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the Competition draws in plenty of individuals Every single and on a yearly basis, additionally they adore it.
Day trip for lots of educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its unattractive human body only during the night time. This is why, when you find yourself in the correct commit Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', therefore it really is simple adequate to capture (or shoot) one.
An inscription around the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's job in delivering 'equally fur click here and meals' through the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence in this article has offered a supply of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in regular moments and possesses been a major aid to human survival far more distress and significant want.'
Snicker if you'd favor. The people of Wausau will chortle along with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.