There is a location in Florida that constructed a 12-foot-large monument in the guts of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person need to do that?
Effectively, to start with, heroes are challenging to acquire on this devote Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland - Wausau, home of fewer than 500 individuals in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero as you'll anticipate? No one else places the possum over the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau got Bored with currently being omitted of the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each place set up Florida demands a Competition. Rather than one spot in Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've got never ever been to Washington County, you probably will think I am building this up. For those who have absent to Washington County, you'll fully grasp - and know this can be a legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some rather effective possum politicians during the early '80s. Listed below are two factors they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the making in the monument along Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even received The usa Congress in selling the possum. Congress joined the fun by supplying the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a spot to carry its annual Fun Day and Possum Competition. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other issues, the festival draws in Many check here of us every year, and they also adore it.
Outing for a few educating of Northerners below. The South's possum could be the identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its ugly overall body only at night. This is exactly why, if you find yourself Within the proper set in position Florida, you may hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It really is very simple sufficient seize (or shoot) 1.
An inscription concerning the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's function in delivering 'both equally fur and foods' all through the generations. It goes on to say: 'Their presence here has provided a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in normal times and it's got been a significant support to human survival when in distress and demanding have to have.'
Chuckle when you'd favor. The men and women of Wausau will snicker along with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.