A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There is a place in position Florida that crafted a 12-foot-substantial monument in the course of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone want to accomplish that?
Very well, to begin, heroes get effort and time to analysis In this particular place in Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, home of fewer than 500 persons in the middle of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero as you'd hope? No person else places the possum around the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau bought fed up with becoming omitted from the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Just about every dedicate Florida would like a Pageant. And not one set in place Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have not visited Washington County, you probably will Imagine I'm making this up. When you have attended Washington County, you'll recognize - and know This is a genuine Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some quite highly effective possum politicians noisy . '80s. Listed below are a pair of things they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to your building within the monument along Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained the United States Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may need a region to help keep its annual Enjoyment Day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other points, the Competition appeals to Many individuals each year, and so that they like it.
Trip For a lot of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum would be the equivalent lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its unattractive body only in the evening. This is why, When you are In the suitable put in position Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It is really not hard to capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription within the monument during Wausau cites the possum's position in furnishing 'the two fur and foodstuff' with the total generations. It goes to say: 'Their existence in this article read more has provided a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in ordinary periods and possesses been an important aid to human survival all through periods of distress and demanding have to have.'
Giggle if you're keen on. The folks of Wausau will giggle together - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.