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

There's a dedicate Florida that constructed a 12-foot-high monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person ought to do that?
Effectively, to start with off, heroes are really hard to locate on this place in Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, residence of fewer than 500 people in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? Nobody else puts the possum by using a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau bought Unwell and weary with being overlooked With all the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Each commit Florida needs a Competition. And never one position in Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you have not been to Washington County, you almost certainly will Feel I'm As a result, earning this up. In case you have been to Washington County, you'll comprehend - and know this is the true story.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some very strong possum politicians noisy . '80s. Here are a set of items they completed:


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

They even acquired The usa Congress in marketing the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by supplying the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could possibly have a spot to keep its annual Pleasurable Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, between other matters, the Competition appeals to plenty of individuals Each and every and each and every year, and so they like it.
Day trip for any couple educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will carry out?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its unattractive system only at night. This is why, if you're inside of appropriate place set up Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It will probably be effortless capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription round the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's position in offering 'each fur and food' from the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their existence right here has furnished a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food in standard periods and it's been an essential get more info assist to human survival when in distress and critical have to have.'
Giggle if you like. The folks of Wausau will snicker together with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.