There is a commit Florida that built a 12-foot-substantial monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one want to accomplish that?
Effectively, 1st off, heroes are hard to research on this devote Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, home of fewer than 500 folks in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero to put it mildly? No person else puts the possum in excess of a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back 1982, Wausau got sick and Sick and tired of staying overlooked from your Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Every dedicate Florida requirements a Pageant. And never 1 invest Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you almost certainly will think I am Consequently, building this up. If you have long gone to Washington County, you may understand - and know Here is the legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, had some rather powerful possum politicians over the early '80s. Here are two points they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the making through the monument together Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even received The us Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the exciting by the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may need a locale to carry its once-a-year Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among other things, the festival appeals to thousands of people today each year, they usually like it.
Day out for a number of educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is the similar lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will almost certainly do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its unattractive body only at nighttime. This is exactly why, if you are Within the suitable set set up Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It can be straightforward adequate to trap (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription in regards to the monument during Wausau cites the possum's role in giving 'the two fur and food' in the complete generations. It goes on say: 'Their presence listed here has provided an origin more info of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in typical periods and possesses been a significant support to human survival in times of distress and important need.'
Laugh if you want. The persons of Wausau will giggle along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.