There's a area in Florida that built a twelve-foot-superior monument all through town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one ought to do that?
Nicely, initially off, heroes are difficult to investigation on this make investments Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, house of fewer than 500 people in the guts of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero as you would probably expect? No person else puts the possum around the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau bought sick and Fed up with remaining neglected of the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Each and every put in position Florida requirements a festival. And never a single set in place Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't attended Washington County, you probably will Consider I am creating this up. For those who have been to Washington County, you will understand - and know it is a true Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some fairly strong possum politicians within the early '80s. Here are two matters they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the pretty very first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the building from the monument alongside Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even received The usa Congress in endorsing the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by supplying the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have an area to carry its yearly Enjoyable Day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, between other factors, the Pageant attracts thousands of folks every year, and In addition they like it.
Trip for the few educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals read more its unsightly overall body only at night. That is why, when you are inside suitable devote Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It truly is not tough to hook (or shoot) a single.
An inscription round the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's function in offering 'each fur and foodstuff' throughout the whole centuries. It goes on say: 'Their existence listed here has offered a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in usual instances and has been a vital aid to human survival in situations of distress and demanding need.'
Laugh should you'd desire. The people of Wausau will laugh together - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.