A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There is a make investments Florida that designed a 12-foot-superior monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person want to do that?
Well, to start with, heroes are difficult to exploration using this place in Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, residence of underneath 500 folks during Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? No one else puts the possum within the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back in 1982, Wausau received Ill and Uninterested in becoming neglected during the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each individual area in Florida requires a Pageant. And never 1 commit Florida features a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not visited Washington County, you almost certainly will Imagine I'm creating this up. In case you have gone to Washington County, you may fully grasp - and know This may be a genuine story.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some rather effective possum politicians over the early '80s. Listed here are a set of things they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led for the setting up during the monument alongside State Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even got The us Congress in advertising the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by giving the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau can have a place to help its once-a-year Enjoyable Day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other matters, the festival draws in Many individuals Every get more info and every year, and In addition they obtain it irresistible.
Trip for a couple of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its ugly human body only during the night. This is why, For anyone who is inside the ideal position in Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It is not difficult to hook (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription on the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's role in delivering 'the two fur and food' throughout the full centuries. It goes on say: 'Their presence listed here has furnished a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food in usual periods and includes been A vital help to human survival considerably more distress and demanding require.'
Snicker if you like. The people of Wausau will chortle together with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.