An area in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There is a place in Florida that designed a twelve-foot-substantial monument through town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one may well love to do that?
Perfectly, initially off, heroes are challenging to come back by On this dedicate Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland - Wausau, household of beneath 500 persons in the middle of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? Nobody else puts the possum within the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, back in 1982, Wausau acquired Ill and Weary of remaining neglected in the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Every single place in position Florida demands a festival. And not 1 spend Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't visited Washington County, you most likely will Feel I am As a result, producing this up. For those who have frequented Washington County, you may comprehend - and know This may be a true story.
Wausau, it turned out, had some rather powerful possum politicians while in the early '80s. Listed below are a pair of issues they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the making in the monument alongside State Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received The usa Congress in selling the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable as a result of delivering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to help its annual Exciting Working day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other matters, the Competition draws in loads of folks each and yearly, as well as they like it.
Time out for just a few educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will almost certainly do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its hideous body only during the night. This is exactly why, after you find yourself while in the proper commit Florida, you'll be website able to listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', hence it really is not so complicated to hook (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription for the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's function in furnishing 'both equally fur and foods' all through the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their existence below has provided a supply of nutritious and flavorful meals in usual occasions and it's got been An important support to human survival in occasions of distress and significant need to have.'
Giggle if you prefer. The men and women of Wausau will snicker along with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.