A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a invest Florida that built a twelve-foot-superior monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person must do that?
Properly, to get started on, heroes are tough to research inside of this spot in Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland- Wausau, residence of less than five hundred folks for the duration of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you'd probably be expecting? No person else places the possum by using a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau bought sick and tired of staying disregarded of your Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Each and every commit Florida desires a Competition. And not just one spot in Florida contains a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you have not attended Washington County, you probably will Consider I am causeing this to get up. For those who have absent to Washington County, you can comprehend - and know This is actually the real story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some really powerful possum politicians within the early '80s. Here's a handful of points they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Preliminary Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the creating While using the monument along Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even acquired America Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by providing the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a place to carry its once-a-year Fun Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the Competition appeals to thousands of individuals annually, plus they discover it irresistible.
Trip for a great deal of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum will be the similar lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will complete?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its unattractive physique only in the evening. This is why, once you find yourself In the right make investments Florida, you are able to hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so it is actually straightforward adequate to capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription for the monument through Wausau cites the possum's purpose in offering 'both of those fur and foodstuff' with the overall centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence listed here has delivered an origin of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in ordinary occasions and it has been a significant aid to human survival read more when in distress and important have to have.'
Snicker if you want. The individuals of Wausau will laugh along with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.