There is a area in Florida that developed a twelve-foot-large monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one have to do that?
Well, to get started with, heroes choose effort and time to discover on this dedicate Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland- Wausau, household of beneath 500 folks all through Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero as you'd probably anticipate? No one else puts the possum which has a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau obtained Bored with getting neglected from the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each invest Florida needs a Competition. Instead of just one area in Florida features a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you've in no way frequented Washington County, you most likely will Consider I am producing this up. When you have visited Washington County, you'll fully grasp - and know Here is the accurate story.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some pretty potent possum politicians throughout the early '80s. Allow me to share certain things they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led for the creating from the monument alongside State Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even obtained the United States Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the fun by giving the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a location to assist its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the Competition appeals to plenty of individuals annually, plus they like it.
Day out for a few educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum could be the equivalent lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and reveals its unsightly overall body only during the night. That is why, when you are while in the suitable place in place Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It will likely be easy to lure (or shoot) 1.
An inscription throughout the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in supplying 'equally fur and food' all over the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their existence right here has supplied a source of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in usual situations and it's been an essential support to human survival way more distress and significant have to have.'
Laugh if you want. The men and women of Wausau will chortle as well as website you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.