An area in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a commit Florida that developed a twelve-foot-higher monument in the course of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person may possibly love to do that?
Very well, to get started with, heroes are challenging to find within this devote Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, home of lower than 500 persons in the course of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? No person else puts the possum having a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, last 1982, Wausau got Uninterested in remaining neglected inside the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each and every commit Florida requires a festival. Instead of 1 place in place Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have never visited Washington County, you probably will Believe I'm producing this up. If you have visited Washington County, you can comprehend - and know this is a correct Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, had some rather highly effective possum politicians from the early '80s. Here are some things they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to the making on the monument alongside Point out Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received America Congress to sector the possum. Congress joined the exciting by offering the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a region to hold its once-a-year Entertaining Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other factors, the festival appeals to lots of folks Just about every and every year, and in order that they love it.
Time out for a few educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is comparable lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will conduct?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its unappealing body only at night. That is why, when you find yourself in the correct area in Florida, you can hear possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, click here the possum 'freezes', consequently it really is not so challenging seize (or shoot) a single.
An inscription to the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's role in offering 'both equally fur and food' through the hundreds of years. It goes on say: 'Their presence right here has provided an origin of nutritious and flavorful food in typical occasions and consists of been A necessary assistance to human survival when in distress and demanding have to have.'
Chuckle If you prefer. The persons of Wausau will laugh along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.