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

There is a devote Florida that constructed a 12-foot-substantial monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody could like to do that?
Nicely, initial off, heroes are tough to get on this spend Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, property of lower than 500 people all through Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero to mention the least? No person else places the possum on the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, very last 1982, Wausau received sick and Weary of getting ignored While using the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each set set up Florida requires a festival. Rather than one commit Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you have not long gone to Washington County, you almost certainly will Feel I am Consequently, producing this up. For those who have attended Washington County, you will understand - and know This is actually the real Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some pretty effective possum politicians in early '80s. Allow me to share two things they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led for the constructing with the monument along State Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained America Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the exciting by giving the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might need a place to help its yearly Entertaining Working day and Possum Festival. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other issues, the Competition appeals to Many individuals per year, furthermore they find it irresistible.
Day out for plenty of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will execute?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its unpleasant body only in the evening. That is why, When you are inside the suitable commit Florida, you are able click here to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It'll be easy plenty of capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription around the monument in the heart of Wausau cites the possum's function in offering 'the two fur and foodstuff' from the hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their existence here has provided a source of nutritious and flavorful food in usual situations and has been a substantial help to human survival when in distress and demanding have to have.'
Laugh when you'd prefer. The people of Wausau will chuckle along with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.