An area in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum

There is a position in Florida that developed a twelve-foot-superior monument all through city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone should do that?
Very well, to begin with, heroes are difficult to investigation in this make investments Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, house of a lot less than 500 persons in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to state the the very least? No one else places the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back again in 1982, Wausau got Weary of staying overlooked from the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each individual devote Florida needs a Pageant. Instead of one place in Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you've by no means been to Washington County, you almost certainly will Assume I'm generating this up. When you have long gone to Washington County, you'll understand - and know This may be a real story.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some quite impressive possum politicians in the early '80s. Here are certain things they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the incredibly first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to the developing in the monument together Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even bought The us Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the entertaining through giving the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a place to hold its annual Enjoyable Day and Possum Competition. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other factors, the Competition appeals to 1000s of men and women annually, furthermore read more they uncover it irresistible.
Day out for many educating of Northerners here. The South's possum will be the equivalent lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and shows its unattractive human body only at night. That is why, if you're throughout the proper put set up Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so Will probably be not difficult to catch (or shoot) 1.
An inscription within the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's role in providing 'both equally fur and food items' throughout the entire generations. It goes on say: 'Their presence here has furnished an origin of nutritious and flavorful food items in usual instances and possesses been an important support to human survival when in distress and critical will need.'
Chuckle if you want. The individuals of Wausau will chortle together with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.