A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There is a place in place Florida that designed a 12-foot-superior monument during city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual really need to do that?
Very well, initial off, heroes are complicated to receive on this place set up Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, household of under 500 folks in the heart of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to say the minimum? No one else puts the possum with a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, again in 1982, Wausau acquired Fed up with staying left out in the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Every place in place Florida needs a festival. Instead of a person dedicate Florida includes a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have by no means attended Washington County, you probably will Imagine I'm Hence, making this up. When you've got gone to Washington County, you can realize - and know This may be a real story.
Wausau, it proved, had some quite strong possum politicians throughout the early '80s. Allow me to share a few issues they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led towards the building while in the monument together Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even acquired America Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the exciting by supplying the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to maintain its once-a-year Enjoyable Day and Possum Festival. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, among the other items, the festival draws in Countless individuals every year, and so that they like it.
Day trip For lots of educating of Northerners here. The South's possum will be the equivalent lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its unsightly physique only during the night. This is why, If you're Within the proper place set up Florida, you are able to hear possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', for that reason it is actually not so tricky capture (or shoot) one website particular.
An inscription for the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's position in providing 'each fur and foodstuff' throughout the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has offered a source of nutritious and flavorful meals in regular occasions and it's been an essential support to human survival in instances of distress and demanding require.'
Chortle if you want. The men and women of Wausau will snicker with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.