There is a place in place Florida that built a twelve-foot-higher monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody could possibly like to do that?
Properly, to start with, heroes take effort and time to acquire On this devote Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, property of fewer than 500 folks in the middle of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? Nobody else puts the possum about the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, previous 1982, Wausau obtained Unwell and Weary of remaining disregarded of the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Every single devote Florida needs a Competition. And never one put in position Florida includes a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't attended Washington County, you most likely will Believe I'm causeing this to get up. In case you have long gone to Washington County, you will fully grasp - and know this is the correct story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some fairly effective possum politicians while in the early '80s. Here are several factors they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Preliminary Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the creating While using the monument along Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even acquired America Congress to industry the possum. Congress joined the exciting by the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a place to assist its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other issues, the festival attracts Many individuals on a yearly basis, and so they find it irresistible.
Time out for loads of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum may be the equivalent lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its unpleasant overall body only during the night. This is exactly why, For anyone who is In the suitable commit Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It really is not tough capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription round the get more info monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's job in delivering 'each fur and food items' through the full centuries. It goes to say: 'Their presence listed here has furnished a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in standard periods and possesses been a major aid to human survival all through situations of distress and critical need.'
Snicker If you prefer. The people of Wausau will snicker along - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.