There's a place in Florida that constructed a 12-foot-substantial monument in the midst of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone desire to accomplish that?
Very well, to start, heroes just take time and effort to analysis On this place in Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, home of fewer than 500 people in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero To place it mildly? No one else places the possum more than a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau acquired Ill and tired of remaining overlooked Along with the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Just about every spend Florida requires a Competition. Rather than a person dedicate Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't absent to Washington County, you probably will Imagine I'm making this up. In case you have frequented Washington County, you may comprehend - and know that is a real Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some really potent possum politicians in the early '80s. Listed below are two factors they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the setting up Along with the monument along Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even obtained the United States Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the exciting as a result of delivering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a location to help keep its once-a-year Fun Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other items, the festival appeals to Many individuals every year, and so that they find it irresistible.
Day out for just a several educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is the similar lowly animal you connect with opossum, read more (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unsightly human body only at night. That's why, When you are within proper set in place Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', consequently it's not so complicated to hook (or shoot) a person.
An inscription within the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's job in supplying 'equally fur and food stuff' from the full centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence listed here has furnished a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in regular occasions and includes been an important assistance to human survival throughout situations of distress and demanding have to have.'
Giggle if you're keen on. The folks of Wausau will chortle alongside - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.