There is a put set up Florida that crafted a 12-foot-superior monument in the guts of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone could love to do that?
Perfectly, 1st off, heroes are tricky to acquire in this invest Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, residence of much less than five hundred people in the middle of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to convey the minimum? No one else puts the possum having a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau got tired of remaining omitted during the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Every place in position Florida wants a Competition. And not 1 put set up Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you almost certainly will Imagine I'm producing this up. For those who have frequented Washington County, you'll have an understanding of - and know This may be a true story.
Wausau, it ended up, had some really effective possum politicians noisy . '80s. Listed here are certain things they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the main Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to the developing from the monument alongside State Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The usa Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the exciting as a result of delivering the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to keep its once-a-year Entertaining Day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, between other things, the festival attracts Many of us each and each year, and here they adore it.
Trip For most educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is equivalent lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 is going to do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its unappealing entire body only during the night time. That's why, In case you are inside of suitable set in position Florida, you may hear possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It really is straightforward sufficient seize (or shoot) a single.
An inscription within the monument in the heart of Wausau cites the possum's position in furnishing 'the two fur and food items' in the course of the full generations. It goes on to say: 'Their existence below has furnished an origin of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in usual periods and possesses been an important aid to human survival when in distress and important need to have.'
Laugh if you'd want. The men and women of Wausau will laugh along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.