A location in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
A location in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
Blog Article
There is a place in place Florida that developed a twelve-foot-large monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody wish to accomplish that?
Effectively, to start with, heroes are difficult to come back by with this devote Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, residence of less than 500 folks for the duration of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you'd anticipate? No one else places the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, past 1982, Wausau got Ill and Weary of currently being disregarded from the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Each put in position Florida demands a Pageant. And never 1 spot in Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you've never ever frequented Washington County, you most likely will Imagine I am building this up. If you have gone to Washington County, you can expect to recognize - and know that is a accurate Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, experienced some really strong possum politicians from the early '80s. Listed below click here are a set of points they accomplished:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the first Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the constructing Using the monument together Condition Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even received America Congress in marketing the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by supplying the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a place to hold its annual Exciting Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other matters, the Pageant draws in Many individuals on a yearly basis, and so they discover it irresistible.
Trip for a few educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will carry out?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its ugly entire body only in the evening. That's why, if you're within the suitable commit Florida, you may hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it can be uncomplicated to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription to the monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's job in offering 'both equally fur and food' from the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence below has presented a resource of nutritious and flavorful food in regular occasions and consists of been an important support to human survival during situations of distress and critical will need.'
Chuckle if you'd desire. The people of Wausau will chuckle together with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.