An area in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
An area in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There is a put in Florida that built a twelve-foot-significant monument in the course of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person wish to perform that?
Nicely, to start out, heroes are hard to uncover On this commit Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, household of below 500 folks during Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to mention the least? No one else places the possum that has a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau got sick and tired of remaining disregarded in the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Just about every position in Florida wishes a festival. And never 1 devote Florida incorporates a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not attended Washington County, you almost certainly will Consider I'm producing this up. For those who have been to Washington County, you can have an understanding of - and know This can be the real Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, had some pretty strong possum politicians during the early '80s. Here's two items they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led for the making Along with the monument together Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even obtained The us Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by providing the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would've a website spot to help keep its once-a-year Fun Working day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amid other points, the Competition draws in plenty of individuals annually, and they adore it.
Day trip for some educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its hideous body only in the evening. This is exactly why, when you end up within appropriate spend Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it can be not so difficult to lure (or shoot) 1.
An inscription about the monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's role in delivering 'both of those fur and foods' all over the generations. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has presented a supply of nutritious and flavorful food in normal moments and incorporates been A necessary aid to human survival in times of distress and significant need.'
Snicker if you love. The people today of Wausau will chuckle alongside - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.