A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a devote Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-significant monument throughout city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one want to accomplish that?
Effectively, to begin with, heroes are tough to have within this dedicate Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland - Wausau, house of a lot less than 500 people during Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you'll anticipate? No one else places the possum with a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, again in 1982, Wausau acquired fed up with getting disregarded from your Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Just about every set in position Florida demands a Competition. Instead of a person put in place Florida features a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't gone to Washington County, you almost certainly will Believe I'm developing this up. When you've got frequented Washington County, you may understand - and know This may be a correct story.
Wausau, it turned out, had some pretty strong possum politicians inside the early '80s. Here's certain things they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led for the creating from the monument along Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained the United States Congress to market place the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have an area to hold its yearly Exciting Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other points, website the Competition appeals to lots of men and women on a yearly basis, plus they adore it.
Trip for a lot of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will accomplish?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its unsightly body only in the evening. This is exactly why, when you're Within the correct spot in Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', hence it is actually uncomplicated more than enough capture (or shoot) a single.
An inscription for your monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's job in offering 'both of those fur and meals' in the course of the entire generations. It goes to say: 'Their presence listed here has delivered a supply of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in usual situations and it's been A vital aid to human survival when in distress and significant need to have.'
Laugh In order for you. The people of Wausau will giggle as well as you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.