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

There's a spot in Florida that built a 12-foot-significant monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual wish to accomplish that?
Perfectly, initial off, heroes get time and effort to receive within this put in Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, residence of less than five hundred persons in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero as you'd probably anticipate? Nobody else puts the possum with a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, final 1982, Wausau got Ill and Uninterested in currently being neglected with the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Every single set set up Florida requires a Pageant. Rather than a person put set up Florida contains a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've in no way absent to Washington County, you most likely will Consider I'm causeing this for being up. In case you have attended Washington County, you can expect to have an understanding of - and know this can be a real story.
Wausau, it proved, had some really strong possum politicians in early '80s. Here i will discuss certain things they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the incredibly initial Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. get more info That led towards the making while in the monument together Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received The us Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable via offering the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a area to carry its annual Fun Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other things, the Competition draws in many people on a yearly basis, and so they come across it irresistible.
Day out For several educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is comparable lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will accomplish?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its unattractive body only during the night. This is exactly why, In case you are In the suitable set in position Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', for that reason it truly is uncomplicated plenty of to catch (or shoot) a person.
An inscription throughout the monument during Wausau cites the possum's role in giving 'the two fur and food' in the complete hundreds of years. It goes on say: 'Their presence listed here has delivered an origin of nutritious and flavorful food items in regular moments and possesses been an important aid to human survival a lot more distress and critical want.'
Giggle if you prefer. The persons of Wausau will chuckle along with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.