A spot in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a position in Florida that created a 12-foot-high monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone would like to do that?
Very well, 1st off, heroes are tricky to come back by Within this spot in Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, dwelling of fewer than 500 folks in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to state the the very least? Nobody else places the possum over a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, final 1982, Wausau obtained Unwell and tired with getting omitted Along with the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each devote Florida needs a Pageant. And not 1 place set up Florida contains a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have not been to Washington County, you almost certainly will Consider I am So, generating this up. For those who have long gone to Washington County, you'll recognize - and know this is the genuine Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some quite strong possum politicians in early '80s. Allow me to share some things they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led for the developing of the monument together Point out Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received the United States Congress to industry the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by more info delivering the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a place to hold its once-a-year Fun Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the festival appeals to lots of folks every year, and so they find it irresistible.
Day out for loads of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its unpleasant human body only during the night time. This is why, if you find yourself within the proper location in Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', consequently it is not so hard capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription for the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in furnishing 'each fur and foods' all over the generations. It goes on to say: 'Their existence in this article has delivered an origin of nutritious and flavorful food in ordinary situations and possesses been a crucial guide to human survival a great deal more distress and demanding have to have.'
Chuckle if you love. The folks of Wausau will chortle along - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.