A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a set set up Florida that created a 12-foot-substantial monument in the midst of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody want to accomplish that?
Effectively, to start with, heroes are tough to receive inside this devote Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, house of fewer than 500 persons in the middle of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to put it mildly? Nobody else places the possum which has a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, very last 1982, Wausau bought fed up with being overlooked Along with the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each and every invest Florida wishes a Competition. Instead of one dedicate Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't attended Washington County, you almost certainly will think I'm creating this up. For those who have been to Washington County, you can expect to recognize - and know This is actually the real story.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some pretty potent possum politicians in the early '80s. Here are certain things they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the incredibly 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the making from the monument along State Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even got the United States Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the exciting by the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a place to hold its once-a-year Exciting Day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the festival Possum Catcher Melbourne draws in Many of us Just about every and each year, furthermore they like it.
Day out for your couple of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and shows its unsightly body only during the night. That's why, In case you are inside ideal put in Florida, you could hear possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so it can be uncomplicated to catch (or shoot) 1.
An inscription around the monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's position in supplying 'both fur and food items' during the total generations. It goes on say: 'Their presence listed here has supplied an origin of nutritious and flavorful foods in standard moments and possesses been a significant support to human survival when in distress and significant have to have.'
Chortle If you would like. The people of Wausau will chortle together with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.