There's a position in Florida that created a 12-foot-substantial monument in the heart of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual must do that?
Nicely, to start, heroes are tough to investigate inside this place in Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, dwelling of much less than 500 persons in the heart of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to put it mildly? No person else puts the possum on a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau received Sick and tired of remaining neglected from your Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Each put in place Florida wishes a Competition. Instead of one spot in Florida features a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have not long gone to Washington County, you most likely will Consider I am earning this up. If you have been to Washington County, you are going to realize - and know this can be a correct Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, had some pretty strong possum politicians throughout the early '80s. Here are a set of matters they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Preliminary Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the creating Along with the monument alongside Point out Highway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even got The us Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the fun by the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a place to keep its once-a-year Enjoyable Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the festival appeals to A huge number of persons every year, and they also like it.
Outing for any couple educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its unappealing physique only at nighttime. That is why, after you find yourself Within the ideal position in Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it's easy plenty of seize (or shoot) 1.
An inscription to the monument during Wausau cites the possum's purpose in giving 'both equally fur and food items' throughout the generations. It goes to say: 'Their presence in this article has furnished a source of nutritious and flavorful foods in usual instances and possesses been an essential assist to more info human survival a great deal more distress and critical need.'
Laugh if you want. The people today of Wausau will chortle as well as you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.