There's a devote Florida that built a 12-foot-substantial monument in the course of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody might like to do that?
Well, to start with off, heroes consider time and effort for getting on this set set up Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, property of much less than five hundred folks in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to mention the least? Nobody else puts the possum over a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, back 1982, Wausau acquired Unwell and weary with remaining disregarded from your Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Each and every devote Florida demands a Competition. And not a person commit Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have never ever frequented Washington County, you almost certainly will Consider I'm creating this up. In case you have been to Washington County, you may fully grasp - and know this is the genuine Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, had some fairly powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Here i will discuss two items they attained:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Working read more day in Florida. That led into the building Using the monument along Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even got The usa Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the exciting by the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a site to guidance its yearly Enjoyment Day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other factors, the Competition appeals to Many men and women every year, and so that they find it irresistible.
Outing for any few educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is definitely the similar lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 can do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its hideous physique only during the night time. That's why, if you're in the appropriate commit Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', as a result it's not so tricky capture (or shoot) one.
An inscription for that monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's role in giving 'each fur and foods' through the entire centuries. It goes to say: 'Their presence in this article has furnished a source of nutritious and flavorful food in ordinary situations and it's got been an important assist to human survival when in distress and important have to have.'
Laugh in the event you'd want. The persons of Wausau will chuckle along with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.