There is a devote Florida that built a 12-foot-higher monument in the midst of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody would like to do that?
Properly, to start with, heroes acquire effort and time to acquire in this area in Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, home of under 500 folks for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero as you would count on? Nobody else puts the possum on the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back 1982, Wausau got fed up with getting left out on the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Each individual place in position Florida demands a festival. And not a single place in position Florida contains a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've in no way absent to Washington County, you most likely will Consider I'm causeing this for being up. Should you have attended Washington County, you can expect to realize - and know This may be a legitimate story.
Wausau, it proved, had some really highly effective possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are some things they attained:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the extremely very first Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the setting up during the monument together State Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even acquired America Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the fun by way of giving the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a place to guidance its yearly Exciting Day and Possum Competition. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other items, the festival appeals to Many persons annually, in addition they uncover it irresistible.
Day out for a few educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will complete?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its hideous body only during the night. This is why, if you find yourself inside the correct place in Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so It truly is quick to hook (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription to the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's part in providing 'both equally fur and foods' throughout the generations. It goes on to say: 'Their existence in this article has provided a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in typical instances and it's got been A necessary assist to human survival when in distress and demanding will need.'
Snicker If you would like. The individuals of Wausau will chuckle with you - although downing website baked possum and sweet potatoes.