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

There is a set in position Florida that developed a twelve-foot-significant monument in the heart of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody choose to do that?
Perfectly, to begin with, heroes are challenging to discover on this invest Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland- Wausau, household of below five hundred individuals during Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to put it mildly? No one else places the possum more than a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau got fed up with being neglected of the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Just about every put in Florida wishes a Pageant. And never a single devote Florida includes a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have never long gone to Washington County, you most likely will think I'm generating this up. Should you have visited Washington County, you may comprehend - and know that is a genuine Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some rather impressive possum politicians in early '80s. Here are some things they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Preliminary Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the constructing on the monument along Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even acquired America Congress to market place the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by delivering the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could possibly have a location to help keep its yearly Pleasurable Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other factors, the Pageant attracts many people every year, as well as they obtain it irresistible.
Outing for some educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is equivalent lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its unappealing physique only during the night. That is why, if you find yourself inside the suitable commit Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so it really is not so challenging seize (or shoot) 1.
An inscription with the monument read more in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's part in giving 'both fur and foods' all over the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has offered a source of nutritious and flavorful food items in usual moments and has been a vital aid to human survival during periods of distress and important need to have.'
Laugh if you love. The persons of Wausau will laugh along with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.