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

There is a devote Florida that built a twelve-foot-higher monument during town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone would like to do that?
Very well, 1st off, heroes are challenging to return by On this position in Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, household of under 500 people in the guts of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero understandably? Nobody else places the possum with a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, past 1982, Wausau got sick and tired with staying overlooked with the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each individual put in place Florida requires a festival. And not a single set in place Florida features a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't gone to Washington County, you most likely will Believe I am causeing this being up. When you have been to Washington County, you'll realize - and know This is actually the genuine story.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some quite strong possum politicians throughout the early '80s. Here are a number of issues they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led into the developing during the monument together Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received The us Congress to industry the possum. Congress joined the exciting by the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a area to maintain its once-a-year Exciting Working day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amid other items, the Competition attracts 1000s of men and women yearly, and in order that they like it.
Day out for many educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is equivalent lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 is going to do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its hideous body only at night. This is exactly why, when you find yourself inside website ideal commit Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it can be uncomplicated seize (or shoot) a single.
An inscription concerning the monument throughout Wausau cites the possum's purpose in providing 'each fur and food stuff' in the whole centuries. It goes onto say: 'Their existence in this article has furnished an origin of nutritious and flavorful foods in typical instances and possesses been a substantial help to human survival when in distress and critical want.'
Snicker if you like. The folks of Wausau will giggle coupled with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.