There's a devote Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-high monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual may love to do that?
Very well, to get started with, heroes are tough to uncover in this place in place Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland- Wausau, household of a lot less than 500 persons in the course of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No person else puts the possum on the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau acquired Fed up with getting left out With all the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each spot in Florida would like a Competition. And never 1 position in Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have not been to Washington County, you probably will Consider I am Therefore, producing this up. For those who have absent to Washington County, you can understand - and know this can be a accurate story.
Wausau, it proved, had some rather strong possum politicians during the early '80s. Listed below are several items they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to your making from the monument together State Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought the United States Congress in promoting the possum. Congress joined the exciting by the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a spot to help keep its annual Enjoyable Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, between other points, the Pageant attracts heaps of individuals annually, plus they love it.
Outing For most educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is equivalent lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and reveals its unsightly human body only during the night time. That is why, if you are in the right devote Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', thus it is actually not challenging to trap (or shoot) one.
An inscription around the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's function in providing 'both fur and food stuff' through the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their presence right here has delivered a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in typical situations and it has been an important support to human survival more info in times of distress and important will need.'
Snicker If you would like. The folks of Wausau will snicker along with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.