There's a put in Florida that built a 12-foot-substantial monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone desire to accomplish that?
Well, to begin with, heroes are really hard to return by with this make investments Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland - Wausau, residence of much less than 500 individuals in the midst of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No one else places the possum about a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau obtained Fed up with becoming disregarded within the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each and every dedicate Florida requirements a Pageant. Rather than one make investments Florida includes a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not frequented Washington County, you probably will Consider I'm producing this up. Should you have gone to Washington County, you'll understand - and know this is the genuine story.
Wausau, it wound up, had some very potent possum politicians while in the early '80s. Here's a set of things they attained:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the creating While using the monument alongside State Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even acquired America Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would've a location to hold its annual Exciting Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other items, the festival draws in A lot of people each and every year, and In addition they like it.
Outing For lots of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is definitely the identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its unattractive physique only at nighttime. That is why, when you find yourself Within the ideal make investments Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' dogs baying and Possum Proofing Melbourne barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It really is not tough to trap (or shoot) just one.
An inscription round the monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's part in providing 'both equally fur and foods' through the full centuries. It goes on say: 'Their existence listed here has supplied an origin of nutritious and flavorful food in standard situations and has been a very important assist to human survival in occasions of distress and important need.'
Laugh if you want. The individuals of Wausau will chuckle with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.