A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There is a dedicate Florida that constructed a 12-foot-high monument all through town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone desire to do that?
Properly, initially off, heroes are really hard to return by Within this devote Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland- Wausau, home of much less than 500 persons in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you'll hope? No person else puts the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back in 1982, Wausau received tired of becoming neglected of your Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Just about every place in Florida requires a festival. Instead of one put in position Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you probably will Imagine I'm building this up. When you've got attended Washington County, you may fully grasp - and know This may be a legitimate story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some very strong possum politicians in early '80s. Here are some things they completed:
They persuaded the Florida here Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led for the making in the monument alongside State Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The usa Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by providing the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to help keep its once-a-year Exciting Day and Possum Competition. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amid other things, the Pageant appeals to A large number of persons every year, and in order that they obtain it irresistible.
Outing for many educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is equivalent lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its ugly overall body only during the night. That is why, once you end up inside ideal put set up Florida, you'll be able to listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It is really not tough seize (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription across the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's position in supplying 'the two fur and food' from the hundreds of years. It goes onto say: 'Their existence below has provided a resource of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in normal instances and possesses been an important aid to human survival in times of distress and significant have to have.'
Chortle if you love. The folks of Wausau will chortle together with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.