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

There's a location in Florida that designed a twelve-foot-large monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone could love to do that?
Nicely, to start with, heroes are tricky to research on this dedicate Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, property of under five hundred folks in the course of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to mention the minimum? Nobody else places the possum around a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, again in 1982, Wausau got Fed up with remaining neglected in the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Each devote Florida needs a Pageant. Instead of one devote Florida contains a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you most likely will Feel I am Hence, earning this up. If you have absent to Washington County, you are going to comprehend - and know This may be a genuine Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, had some rather effective possum politicians in the early '80s. Listed below are a set of items they completed:


They persuaded the check here Florida Legislature to proclaim the incredibly initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the creating Together with the monument along Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even bought The us Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the exciting as a result of delivering the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a spot to hold its yearly Entertaining Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other factors, the festival attracts Many individuals annually, furthermore they find it irresistible.
Outing for many educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its ugly system only during the night time. This is exactly why, When you are In the suitable commit Florida, you could hear possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It's going to be straightforward seize (or shoot) one.
An inscription over the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's function in offering 'both fur and food' in the overall generations. It goes on say: 'Their existence below has supplied a supply of nutritious and flavorful meals in usual instances and has been a crucial assist to human survival all through times of distress and critical want.'
Chuckle If you would like. The men and women of Wausau will giggle with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.