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

There is a area in Florida that built a 12-foot-significant monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone may possibly love to do that?
Nicely, 1st off, heroes are difficult to seek out Within this set in place Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, home of lower than 500 folks for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero to state the the very least? No one else places the possum over a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau bought fed up with getting disregarded of your Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Just about every invest Florida requires a Competition. Rather than one particular put in position Florida incorporates a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have not been to Washington County, you almost certainly will Feel I am causeing this to be up. In case you have been to Washington County, you may understand - and know Here is the true Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some very impressive possum politicians within the early '80s. Here i will discuss a set of points they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the main Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to your constructing with the monument alongside Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received The usa Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by providing the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a place to carry its yearly Enjoyable Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other points, the Pageant attracts thousands of people on a yearly basis, and so they like it.
Trip for a few educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is definitely the identical lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its hideous system only during the night time. This is why, when you are In the suitable devote Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it's easy capture (or shoot) 1.
An inscription for your monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's part in delivering 'the two fur and food' all through the hundreds of years. It goes onto say: 'Their existence in this article has provided a source of nutritious and flavorful meals in ordinary more info periods and it has been a crucial support to human survival in occasions of distress and demanding need.'
Snicker if you prefer. The men and women of Wausau will chortle along with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.