A spot in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a devote Florida that built a twelve-foot-significant monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone want to accomplish that?
Well, to begin with, heroes are challenging to locate in just this invest Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, house of fewer than 500 folks all through Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you would probably assume? No one else places the possum on the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, very last 1982, Wausau acquired sick and tired of becoming left out in the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Each individual place in Florida demands a Competition. Instead of a person put in place Florida incorporates a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you probably will Feel I am causeing this to get up. When you have frequented Washington County, you'll have an understanding of - and know this can be a legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some very powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are a couple of points they accomplished:


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

They even obtained America Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable by way of providing the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to hold its annual Fun Day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other things, the festival draws in Many men and women annually, and Additionally they like it.
Day trip for many educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unpleasant human body only in the evening. This is why, if you are within suitable set set up Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It is really uncomplicated ample to lure (or shoot) a person.
An inscription concerning the monument throughout Wausau cites the possum's function in providing 'both fur and foods' in the course of the full centuries. It goes on say: 'Their existence right here has delivered an origin of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in regular moments and possesses been a crucial support to human survival way more distress and important need.'
Laugh if you love. The individuals of Wausau will here chuckle alongside - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.