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

There's a place in position Florida that constructed a 12-foot-higher monument through city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody desire to do that?
Nicely, to begin with, heroes are hard to research on this dedicate Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland- Wausau, dwelling of less than five hundred people in the heart of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No person else puts the possum with a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, final 1982, Wausau bought sick and Weary of becoming left out during the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Just about every commit Florida needs a Competition. Instead of 1 dedicate Florida features a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't gone to Washington County, you almost certainly will think I'm making this up. In case you have frequented Washington County, you can realize - and know this can be a real Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, experienced some fairly powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Allow me to share certain things they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the very very first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to your constructing of your monument alongside Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even received the United States Congress in promoting the possum. Congress joined the fun by way of furnishing the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a location to carry its yearly Entertaining Working day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the Pageant attracts tons of individuals each year, and in order that they come across it irresistible.
Time out For lots of educating of Northerners here. The South's possum could be the identical lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its ugly system only during the night. That's why, If you're In the ideal put set up Florida, you may hear possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It is basic adequate to trap (or shoot) just one.
An inscription with regard to the monument all through Wausau cites the possum's part in furnishing 'each fur and foodstuff' during the entire generations. It goes on say: 'Their presence right here has offered an origin of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in typical instances and possesses been a crucial aid to human survival all through instances of distress and important need to have.'
Laugh when you'd favor. The people today of Wausau will giggle along with you - while downing baked possum website and sweet potatoes.