A location in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a spot in Florida that created a twelve-foot-substantial monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone may like to do that?
Well, to get started with, heroes are tough to receive with this location in Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, residence of fewer than 500 people in the guts of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to say the minimum? No person else places the possum on the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, past 1982, Wausau received fed up with remaining neglected from the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Every commit Florida requirements a Competition. Rather than just one position in Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have not gone to Washington County, you almost certainly will Feel I am causeing this to be up. Should you have frequented Washington County, you may understand - and know This may be a legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some pretty effective possum politicians noisy . '80s. Listed here are a pair of items they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the setting up with the monument together State Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even more info acquired America Congress in advertising the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would've a location to carry its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among other factors, the Pageant attracts tons of individuals Every single and each year, plus they adore it.
Day trip for many educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is the same lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will conduct?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its unsightly system only during the night. That's why, if you're in the correct make investments Florida, you could hear possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it's not so tricky capture (or shoot) 1.
An inscription for the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in providing 'both fur and food items' through the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence here has presented a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in normal periods and it's been a crucial support to human survival in the course of times of distress and demanding want.'
Giggle If you would like. The persons of Wausau will chuckle with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.