There's a devote Florida that created a 12-foot-large monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody have to do that?
Well, to begin with, heroes take time and effort to analysis on this invest Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland- Wausau, residence of lower than 500 folks during Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero To place it mildly? Nobody else places the possum above a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau received fed up with staying left out on the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each area in Florida would like a Pageant. And not one devote Florida features a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have never frequented Washington County, you almost certainly will Consider I am causeing this being up. For those who have attended Washington County, you can realize - and know This is a correct story.
Wausau, it turned out, had some very potent possum politicians noisy . '80s. Here's several factors they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to your constructing Using the monument alongside Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even obtained the United States Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment via giving the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a place to guidance its once-a-year Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the festival appeals to A large number of individuals each year, and they also like it.
Time out for your couple of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its unattractive body only during the night. That is why, if you are Within the correct put set up Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It really is simple plenty of to trap (or shoot) just one.
An inscription round the monument for the duration of Wausau cites the possum's role in offering 'equally fur and food stuff' throughout the total hundreds of years. It goes to say: 'Their existence below has furnished a resource of nutritious and flavorful food in ordinary check here situations and has been a significant support to human survival when in distress and significant require.'
Giggle if you want. The people today of Wausau will laugh with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.