A spot in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a put in place Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-high monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual want to perform that?
Effectively, initially off, heroes are challenging to seek out using this spend Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, home of less than 500 individuals in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to say the the very least? No person else places the possum in excess of a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau got Sick and tired of staying left out within the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Just about every place in place Florida demands a Competition. And never one dedicate Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you most likely will Imagine I am causeing this to become up. If you have attended Washington County, you will fully grasp - and know this is a true Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, experienced some really effective possum politicians throughout the early '80s. Here's some things they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the setting up from your monument together Point out Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even got The us Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable by means of providing the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would've an area to hold its yearly Exciting Day and here Possum Competition. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other factors, the Pageant appeals to Many persons Every and annually, plus they love it.
Day trip For most educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will complete?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and shows its unsightly body only at night. This is exactly why, if you're inside of appropriate set set up Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so it will be not tricky to capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription round the monument during Wausau cites the possum's role in giving 'each fur and foodstuff' all through the centuries. It goes on say: 'Their presence right here has delivered an origin of nutritious and flavorful food items in normal moments and consists of been A necessary aid to human survival in times of distress and significant require.'
Giggle if you prefer. The men and women of Wausau will chortle along with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.