There is a make investments Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-high monument in the middle of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone desire to perform that?
Properly, to start with, heroes are difficult to come by with this devote Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, dwelling of beneath 500 people in the guts of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero To place it mildly? Nobody else places the possum around the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, very last 1982, Wausau obtained Ill and Bored with becoming ignored in the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Every position in Florida demands a Pageant. Instead of a single spot in Florida includes a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've in no way attended Washington County, you most likely will Consider I'm causeing this for being up. In case you have attended Washington County, you are going to comprehend - and know This is a true Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some quite powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Allow me to share some things they accomplished:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the really to start with Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the building in the monument along State Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even acquired The usa Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by way of giving the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a spot to aid its once-a-year Entertaining Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, between other points, the Pageant attracts thousands of people each year, and Additionally they adore it.
Day trip For numerous educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when read more six will execute?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unsightly human body only during the night time. That's why, when you're throughout the ideal devote Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it is not so complicated to hook (or shoot) 1.
An inscription for that monument in the heart of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in offering 'both fur and foodstuff' all through the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their existence here has offered a resource of nutritious and flavorful foods in usual occasions and has been an essential support to human survival in moments of distress and demanding want.'
Giggle if you like. The men and women of Wausau will giggle with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.