A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There is a location in Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-superior monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone desire to do that?
Properly, to start with, heroes are challenging to discover on this set set up Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, dwelling of less than five hundred persons during Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you should hope? No person else places the possum which has a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, again in 1982, Wausau received Ill and tired of staying neglected in the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each and every devote Florida requires a festival. And not one particular position in Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have never ever attended Washington County, you almost certainly will Assume I'm earning this up. Should you have been to Washington County, you will understand - and know this is a genuine Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, had some pretty impressive possum politicians inside the early '80s. Here are two matters they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the making in the monument together Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even received The us Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a site to assist its annual Enjoyment Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amid other matters, the festival attracts plenty of men and women each year, and they also adore it.
Time out for many educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its unpleasant system only in the evening. That's why, If you're in the proper commit Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It here will probably be not so tough to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription about the monument all through Wausau cites the possum's role in furnishing 'the two fur and food items' with the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence below has supplied a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful foods in normal moments and is made up of been an essential assistance to human survival during instances of distress and demanding need.'
Chortle if you want. The folks of Wausau will laugh together with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.