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

There is a put in Florida that created a 12-foot-significant monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual could love to do that?
Properly, to start, heroes are hard to find within just this invest Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, household of less than 500 people in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you'll anticipate? No one else places the possum with a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau bought sick and Weary of becoming disregarded within the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Just about every invest Florida requires a Competition. Instead of one particular dedicate Florida provides a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've by no means attended Washington County, you most likely will Imagine I am thus, generating this up. When you've got gone to Washington County, you'll fully grasp - and know This is a real story.
Wausau, it wound up, had some quite potent possum politicians within the early '80s. Listed below are a few items they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to your constructing through the monument alongside Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even obtained The usa Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the exciting by giving the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a location to maintain its once-a-year Entertaining Working day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among the other factors, the Competition attracts Lots of people Just about every and each year, and In addition they adore it.
Day trip for just a couple educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is comparable lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will probably do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its unappealing human body only at nighttime. That's why, when you are inside suitable devote Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It is uncomplicated to trap (or shoot) a person.
An inscription check here within the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in supplying 'both equally fur and foodstuff' in the centuries. It goes on say: 'Their existence here has supplied a source of nutritious and flavorful foods in standard situations and has been an important aid to human survival when in distress and important will need.'
Snicker if you like. The people of Wausau will chortle along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.