There's a invest Florida that built a 12-foot-significant monument in the heart of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual ought to do that?
Perfectly, to start with, heroes just take effort and time to come back by On this set in position Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, residence of lower than five hundred individuals in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you would probably assume? No one else places the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, last 1982, Wausau obtained Unwell and Uninterested in remaining neglected through the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Each individual location in Florida needs a Competition. Instead of 1 area in Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't attended Washington County, you most likely will Consider I'm generating this up. When you've got been to Washington County, you will comprehend - and know This is actually the accurate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some very strong possum politicians noisy . '80s. Here's a couple of points they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to your developing from your monument alongside Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even received The usa Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the fun by offering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might need a location to help keep its annual Fun Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the festival appeals check here to Lots of individuals on a yearly basis, and Additionally they like it.
Outing for plenty of educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is the same lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 is going to do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its hideous body only at nighttime. This is exactly why, When you are within appropriate position in Florida, you may listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', as a result it really is not so hard to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription for that monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's part in providing 'both equally fur and food' all over the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence in this article has provided a resource of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in typical situations and consists of been an important assist to human survival for the duration of instances of distress and important need.'
Chuckle If you'd like. The people of Wausau will chuckle coupled with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.