There's a devote Florida that created a 12-foot-high monument in the middle of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one ought to do that?
Effectively, to start with, heroes acquire effort and time to find with this commit Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, home of less than five hundred persons all through Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? Nobody else places the possum over a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, previous 1982, Wausau obtained Weary of being overlooked through the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Every devote Florida needs a Pageant. And not one put in place Florida includes a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't long gone to Washington County, you most likely will think I am building this up. When you have frequented Washington County, you may understand - and know this can be a legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, had some very impressive possum politicians over the early '80s. Here's some things they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the making in the monument alongside Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even received The us Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the fun through delivering the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to hold its yearly Pleasurable Working day and Possum Competition. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among other issues, the Pageant appeals to Lots of individuals Every and each and every year, and they also discover it irresistible.
Outing for many educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you here simply call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its unpleasant entire body only at nighttime. This is why, when you're inside of appropriate place in position Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so It's going to be not so hard capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription across the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's job in furnishing 'both equally fur and foods' all over the centuries. It goes on say: 'Their presence right here has presented an origin of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in normal situations and is made up of been A vital support to human survival much more distress and significant want.'
Chuckle in the event you'd prefer. The persons of Wausau will chortle along with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.