A spot in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
A spot in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There is a devote Florida that developed a 12-foot-high monument in the course of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person want to do that?
Well, to begin with, heroes are tricky to come by on this place in Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, property of fewer than 500 people all through Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to say the minimum? Nobody else puts the possum with a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, back 1982, Wausau received sick and Sick and tired of being ignored with the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Just about every place in position Florida demands a festival. And not 1 commit Florida provides a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have never been to Washington County, you probably will think I'm making this up. For those who have frequented Washington County, you will fully grasp - and know this is a genuine Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some rather powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are two items they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Original Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the building through the monument together Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought the United States Congress in selling the possum. Congress joined the fun by offering the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a spot to carry its once-a-year Enjoyment Working day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among other points, the Pageant draws in Many individuals each year, and they also find it irresistible.
Day trip to get a few educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum may be the equivalent lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its hideous human body only during the night. This is why, while you are In the appropriate invest Florida, you may hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It will probably be read more not hard to capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription around the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's part in delivering 'equally fur and food' throughout the whole centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence below has presented a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in typical occasions and includes been A necessary help to human survival when in distress and critical want.'
Snicker If you need. The folks of Wausau will chortle together with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.