There is a spend Florida that built a 12-foot-high monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone want to accomplish that?
Nicely, 1st off, heroes choose effort and time to uncover Within this commit Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, home of underneath five hundred folks in the midst of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero to convey the least? No one else places the possum above a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, again 1982, Wausau acquired Unwell and worn out with staying disregarded Using the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each and every devote Florida needs a Competition. Instead of one particular make investments Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't visited Washington County, you most likely will Consider I'm As a result, building this up. For those who have visited Washington County, you can realize - and know It's a real story.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some really highly effective possum politicians throughout the early '80s. Listed below are two issues they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the really very first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the building With all the monument along Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even acquired the United States Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable by giving the here funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could possibly have a place to hold its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other factors, the Pageant draws in plenty of men and women Every and every year, furthermore they locate it irresistible.
Time out For numerous educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is the similar lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will execute?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its unappealing overall body only during the night time. This is why, if you end up inside of ideal put in place Florida, you may listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It can be quick to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription with the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's part in offering 'each fur and food stuff' with the generations. It goes onto say: 'Their existence below has offered a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in regular periods and it's got been A necessary aid to human survival all through situations of distress and demanding have to have.'
Chortle In order for you. The people today of Wausau will chortle with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.