A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There is a dedicate Florida that crafted a 12-foot-significant monument throughout city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person want to accomplish that?
Properly, first off, heroes are tricky to return by on this area in Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland- Wausau, dwelling of under 500 individuals in the course of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero to convey the the very least? No person else places the possum by using a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back 1982, Wausau obtained Sick and tired of currently being disregarded Together with the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Every single set in position Florida requirements a Competition. And never 1 devote Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have not been to Washington County, you probably will Imagine I am causeing this to be up. If you have absent to Washington County, you can expect to understand - and know this is the legitimate story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some very potent possum politicians inside the early '80s. Listed here are a number of factors they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the very first Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the constructing Using the monument alongside Condition Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received The usa Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the exciting by supplying the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might need a site to maintain its once-a-year Enjoyable Working day and Possum Competition. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, between other matters, the Pageant appeals to Countless people annually, plus they adore it.
Trip for many educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is the same lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will carry out?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its unappealing overall body only at nighttime. That's why, after you find yourself In the suitable devote Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It is effortless to entice (or shoot) just one.
An inscription on the monument in the guts of Wausau cites the possum's position in delivering 'the two fur and foodstuff' through the total generations. It website goes onto say: 'Their presence right here has furnished an origin of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in ordinary periods and it has been a vital support to human survival when in distress and critical need.'
Snicker if you like. The persons of Wausau will giggle together with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.