A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
Blog Article
There is a place in Florida that crafted a 12-foot-higher monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one may love to do that?
Effectively, to start with, heroes consider time and effort to study in this spot in Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, property of a lot less than 500 folks in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero To place it mildly? Nobody else puts the possum around a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau got fed up with being neglected from your Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each place in Florida needs a Competition. Rather than a person commit Florida includes a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've got hardly ever attended Washington County, you probably will Assume I am Therefore, earning this up. Should you have frequented Washington County, you can expect to comprehend - and know this can be a genuine story.
Wausau, it proved, had some really highly effective possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are two things they attained:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the building in the monument along Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even received The usa Congress in promoting the possum. Congress joined the Possum Catcher Melbourne exciting by supplying the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a locale to aid its annual Pleasurable Working day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other things, the festival attracts A large number of individuals Just about every and each year, moreover they adore it.
Day trip for some educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will perform?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its unattractive body only at nighttime. This is exactly why, when you are in the proper commit Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it truly is uncomplicated to hook (or shoot) a person.
An inscription about the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's function in delivering 'both equally fur and food items' in the generations. It goes onto say: 'Their presence below has provided an origin of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in typical moments and has been a crucial assist to human survival far more distress and important want.'
Snicker if you love. The men and women of Wausau will snicker together with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.