There is a commit Florida that created a twelve-foot-significant monument in the middle of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one ought to do that?
Effectively, to get started on, heroes choose effort and time to obtain with this commit Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, home of below 500 folks in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to state the the very least? No one else puts the possum around the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, again 1982, Wausau got Ill and tired with getting disregarded from the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Every commit Florida requires a Pageant. And not just one invest Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not attended Washington County, you most likely will Assume I am earning this up. Should you have been to Washington County, you can realize - and know this is the real story.
Wausau, it proved, had some fairly strong possum politicians noisy . '80s. Allow me to share some more info things they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to your making Using the monument alongside Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The us Congress to industry the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable by offering the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a site to help keep its once-a-year Fun Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, between other matters, the Competition draws in many people every year, plus they find it irresistible.
Time out for just a number of educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its ugly system only during the night time. This is exactly why, When you are in the appropriate dedicate Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It will probably be not challenging seize (or shoot) just one.
An inscription for the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's position in offering 'the two fur and foods' through the full centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence in this article has presented a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful foods in ordinary occasions and includes been a crucial support to human survival in situations of distress and demanding want.'
Laugh If you prefer. The persons of Wausau will chortle together with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.