There is a dedicate Florida that designed a twelve-foot-higher monument in the course of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual may well like to do that?
Perfectly, to start with, heroes take time and effort for getting During this spot in Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland- Wausau, house of beneath 500 people in the middle of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No one else places the possum within the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, previous 1982, Wausau bought Unwell and weary with being overlooked Using the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each area in Florida needs a Pageant. Instead of 1 spend Florida incorporates a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have never been to Washington County, you probably will Believe I'm making this up. When you have frequented Washington County, you can fully grasp - and know It is just a legitimate story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some pretty potent possum politicians from the early '80s. Here are a handful of points they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to your making in the monument alongside State Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even received the United States Congress to current market the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a site to hold its once-a-year Enjoyable Working day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the festival attracts many people Each individual and yearly, plus they like it.
Outing For lots of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its unattractive body only in the evening. That is why, when you're In the proper check here set in place Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so it's simple to hook (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription about the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's role in supplying 'both equally fur and meals' throughout the entire generations. It goes on say: 'Their existence listed here has presented an origin of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in normal occasions and it's got been A necessary help to human survival all through moments of distress and demanding require.'
Chortle for those who'd favor. The men and women of Wausau will laugh along - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.