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

There is a spot in Florida that built a twelve-foot-higher monument in the midst of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody might like to do that?
Nicely, initial off, heroes are complicated for getting In this particular dedicate Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland- Wausau, dwelling of below five hundred folks in the heart of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No person else puts the possum with a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, past 1982, Wausau received sick and tired with currently being left out from the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each and every make investments Florida requires a festival. And never just one devote Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you've never ever been to Washington County, you most likely will think I am producing this up. For those who have been to Washington County, you can expect to understand - and know This is actually the accurate Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some pretty potent possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are a couple of things they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day website in Florida. That led to your creating inside the monument together Condition Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained the United States Congress to industry the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable by providing the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a spot to hold its annual Entertaining Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, between other matters, the Pageant attracts A large number of individuals Each individual and each and every year, moreover they uncover it irresistible.
Day out For a lot of educating of Northerners below. The South's possum may be the equivalent lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six is going to do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its unattractive physique only at night. This is why, if you are inside the ideal put set up Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', therefore it is uncomplicated to catch (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription for the monument through Wausau cites the possum's role in supplying 'both fur and food stuff' in the total hundreds of years. It goes to say: 'Their presence right here has presented a supply of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in standard moments and contains been An important enable to human survival a great deal more distress and demanding want.'
Laugh if you love. The persons of Wausau will chuckle together with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.