There is a put in place Florida that crafted a twelve-foot-superior monument in the heart of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody desire to do that?
Well, to start with, heroes are challenging to come by with this particular place in position Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland- Wausau, home of much less than 500 folks in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you'll count on? No one else places the possum about a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau acquired tired of currently being disregarded Along with the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Each and every invest Florida wants a festival. Instead of one particular location in Florida encompasses a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have never ever gone to Washington County, you probably will Consider I am thus, creating this up. In case you have been to Washington County, you can expect to recognize - and know It's a correct Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some pretty potent possum politicians noisy . '80s. Here i will discuss two things they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the creating with the monument alongside Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even received The us Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable by supplying the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a spot to carry its annual more info Exciting Working day and Possum Festival. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, among the other factors, the festival draws in Countless men and women Each and every and yearly, and In addition they adore it.
Time out for many educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and reveals its unappealing system only during the night time. That is why, if you're inside ideal location in Florida, you may listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so It'll be not difficult seize (or shoot) one.
An inscription around the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's position in giving 'equally fur and food items' through the full centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has supplied a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in regular times and possesses been a vital support to human survival when in distress and demanding need to have.'
Snicker if you want. The men and women of Wausau will giggle with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.