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

There is a put in position Florida that built a 12-foot-substantial monument through city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody have to do that?
Properly, to start with off, heroes are difficult to search out inside this commit Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland - Wausau, household of under 500 persons in the middle of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero as you should expect? No one else puts the possum to the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back in 1982, Wausau got Bored with remaining omitted during the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each set in place Florida demands a Pageant. And not one dedicate Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't frequented Washington County, you probably will Imagine I'm building this up. Should you have attended Washington County, you can comprehend - and know This may be a true Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some really powerful possum politicians in the course of the early '80s. Here i will discuss a few issues they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led into the making With all the monument alongside Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained the United States Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by means of furnishing the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to carry its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the festival attracts plenty of individuals Every single and yearly, as well as they adore it.
Outing for many educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its hideous system only at night. That's why, after you end up from the correct spend Florida, you may hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it will be not tricky to entice (or shoot) a single.
An inscription across the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's part in giving 'both here fur and foods' in the entire centuries. It goes to say: 'Their presence listed here has offered a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food items in usual periods and is made up of been a significant aid to human survival when in distress and critical will need.'
Laugh if you prefer. The persons of Wausau will snicker with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.