A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a area in Florida that built a 12-foot-high monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual desire to perform that?
Nicely, initially off, heroes just take time and effort to seek out using this put set up Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, dwelling of less than five hundred individuals in the guts of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No person else puts the possum by using a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, previous 1982, Wausau bought Unwell and Sick and tired of being omitted through the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each and every dedicate Florida needs a Competition. Rather than one particular position in Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't absent to Washington County, you almost certainly will Assume I'm creating this up. When you've got frequented Washington County, you are going to realize - and know This can be the true Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some fairly strong possum politicians through the early '80s. Here i will discuss a pair of items they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the quite first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the constructing from your monument along Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained the United States Congress to sector the possum. Congress joined the entertaining as a result of delivering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a place to aid its once-a-year Enjoyable Day check here and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the Pageant attracts many people yearly, moreover they adore it.
Outing For lots of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is comparable lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will probably do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its unappealing human body only at night. This is exactly why, if you are Within the suitable dedicate Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It's going to be uncomplicated ample to lure (or shoot) just one.
An inscription with the monument in the heart of Wausau cites the possum's part in supplying 'the two fur and food items' in the overall centuries. It goes to say: 'Their presence below has supplied an origin of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in regular periods and it has been a major support to human survival when in distress and important need to have.'
Giggle if you like. The men and women of Wausau will snicker together with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.