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

There is a set set up Florida that built a twelve-foot-higher monument in the midst of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one have to do that?
Properly, to get started on, heroes are difficult to get On this commit Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, dwelling of less than five hundred folks in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? Nobody else puts the possum around the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, previous 1982, Wausau acquired Bored with being ignored With all the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each individual put in position Florida requires a festival. Rather than a single devote Florida incorporates a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have never been to Washington County, you probably will Consider I am building this up. If you have attended Washington County, you are going to fully grasp - and know this is the legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some fairly potent possum politicians inside the early '80s. Here's a handful of factors they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim click here the initial Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led for the developing Together with the monument alongside Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained America Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a spot to support its once-a-year Enjoyment Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the Competition draws in many people each and on a yearly basis, and Additionally they find it irresistible.
Day trip for loads of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is definitely the identical lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its ugly entire body only during the night time. That's why, If you're throughout the suitable put in Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so It truly is uncomplicated capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription across the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's position in supplying 'both equally fur and meals' over the entire hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their existence in this article has supplied an origin of nutritious and flavorful food items in normal instances and is made up of been an essential help to human survival in the course of instances of distress and demanding want.'
Chuckle if you want. The folks of Wausau will laugh alongside - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.