There's a area in Florida that developed a 12-foot-significant monument in the midst of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one would like to accomplish that?
Well, to start with, heroes just take time and effort to uncover using this make investments Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, property of less than five hundred individuals in the midst of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to put it mildly? No one else places the possum to the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back 1982, Wausau bought Ill and fatigued with being ignored on the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each and every devote Florida wants a Pageant. And never one put in Florida contains a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't frequented Washington County, you most likely will Consider I am creating this up. If you have frequented Washington County, you can comprehend - and know it is a genuine Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, had some pretty effective possum politicians in early '80s. Allow me to share two points 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 with the monument along Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even bought the United States Congress in advertising the possum. Congress joined the exciting by the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could possibly have a spot to hold its once-a-year Fun Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the Competition appeals to A lot of people annually, and so they like it.
Time out for many educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its unsightly overall body only at night. That's why, when you end up within suitable area in Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so It will likely be not so complicated seize (or shoot) just one.
An inscription for that monument website in the guts of Wausau cites the possum's job in supplying 'both of those fur and meals' through the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence here has provided an origin of nutritious and flavorful meals in normal times and possesses been an essential guide to human survival far more distress and demanding need to have.'
Laugh If you'd like. The folks of Wausau will chortle along with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.