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 set in position Florida that constructed a 12-foot-higher monument in the midst of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person wish to accomplish that?
Well, to get started on, heroes choose time and effort to research In this particular dedicate Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland - Wausau, household of below 500 persons in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to put it mildly? No one else places the possum around a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back 1982, Wausau received Ill and tired of getting ignored Using the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Just about every dedicate Florida needs a Pageant. Instead of one set in position Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not visited Washington County, you probably will Believe I'm causeing this to become up. Should you have been to Washington County, you will comprehend - and know this is the true story.
Wausau, it ended up, had some fairly potent possum politicians noisy . '80s. Here's a pair of read more factors they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Original Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the building on the monument along Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even got The us Congress in advertising the possum. Congress joined the exciting by supplying the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a place to help its annual Enjoyable Day and Possum Competition. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among other things, the festival appeals to thousands of people Each and every and yearly, moreover they obtain it irresistible.
Time out for a few educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is analogous 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 displays its unattractive body only during the night time. This is why, when you're inside the suitable put set up Florida, you could hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it's simple plenty of to catch (or shoot) a single.
An inscription with the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's role in delivering 'both of those fur and meals' all over the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence listed here has furnished a source of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in standard moments and it has been an important assist to human survival through instances of distress and important need to have.'
Laugh when you'd favor. The individuals of Wausau will snicker along with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.