There is a area in Florida that built a twelve-foot-higher monument in the midst of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual may well like to do that?
Well, to start out, heroes are difficult to locate inside of this position in Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, property of lower than 500 folks in the midst of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No person else places the possum around the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, final 1982, Wausau bought Ill and tired of being disregarded during the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each and every devote Florida wants a Pageant. And not one dedicate Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you've got hardly ever long gone to Washington County, you most likely will Believe I'm making this up. In case you have frequented Washington County, you'll recognize - and know This can be the correct Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, had some pretty potent possum politicians in early '80s. Allow me to share a set of things they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the developing from the monument together State Highway 77 get more info in Wausau.
They even acquired the United States Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the exciting by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might need an area to carry its annual Pleasurable Day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other issues, the festival appeals to Lots of people annually, in addition they like it.
Day trip For most educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its unsightly body only during the night time. That is why, if you're In the suitable commit Florida, you'll be able to listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', as a result it is actually not tough to lure (or shoot) just one.
An inscription across the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's position in delivering 'the two fur and foodstuff' through the hundreds of years. It goes on say: 'Their existence below has provided a resource of nutritious and flavorful foods in normal periods and it has been a major assist to human survival a lot more distress and demanding want.'
Chuckle for those who'd like. The men and women of Wausau will giggle along with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.