There is a invest Florida that developed a 12-foot-substantial monument in the guts of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone want to do that?
Very well, initially off, heroes are difficult to find within this dedicate Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, household of less than 500 folks for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No person else places the possum on a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau acquired Ill and drained with being overlooked with the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Every location in Florida demands a Pageant. And not one location in Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you've hardly ever been to Washington County, you most likely will Consider I am Hence, earning this up. When you've got attended Washington County, you can comprehend - and know This may be a real story.
Wausau, it turned out, had some quite highly effective possum politicians in early '80s. Here's two matters they accomplished:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the first Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the making from your monument alongside Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The us Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the fun by supplying the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a spot to hold its annual Enjoyable Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other click here things, the Competition draws in lots of folks each year, and Additionally they love it.
Outing for many educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum may be the similar lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its hideous overall body only at night. That's why, after you end up while in the suitable dedicate Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', hence it can be simple seize (or shoot) one.
An inscription around the monument through Wausau cites the possum's role in offering 'both equally fur and food stuff' through the entire generations. It goes on to say: 'Their existence here has delivered a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in normal times and it has been a substantial assist to human survival when in distress and significant need.'
Giggle If you'd like. The people today of Wausau will chuckle in conjunction with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.