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

There is a devote Florida that developed a twelve-foot-high monument in the course of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody must do that?
Perfectly, to begin with, heroes just take time and effort to find on this commit Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland- Wausau, household of under 500 folks in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to mention the the very least? No one else places the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, very last 1982, Wausau got sick and drained with remaining overlooked in the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Every single commit Florida desires a festival. Instead of one particular spot in Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't visited Washington County, you almost certainly will Consider I am generating this up. For those who have attended Washington County, you will realize - and know It's a accurate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, had some pretty effective possum politicians noisy . '80s. Listed below are a handful of items they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the building with the monument together Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even received The usa Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by the money read more for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may need a location to hold its once-a-year Fun Working day and Possum Competition. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among other items, the Pageant attracts lots of folks each and every year, in addition they adore it.
Time out for a few educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its hideous body only at nighttime. This is why, any time you find yourself from the right commit Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it really is not so complicated to hook (or shoot) just one.
An inscription for that monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's job in supplying 'both equally fur and foods' through the hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their presence here has supplied a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in normal instances and it's been An important help to human survival in moments of distress and critical have to have.'
Giggle if you like. The persons of Wausau will chuckle together - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.