An area in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
An area in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
Blog Article
There's a devote Florida that created a twelve-foot-large monument all through city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person desire to do that?
Nicely, to start, heroes are difficult to investigate On this place in Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland - Wausau, household of below five hundred folks through Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to put it mildly? Nobody else places the possum within the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, again in 1982, Wausau bought fed up with currently being left out within the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Just about every make investments Florida wishes a Pageant. And not 1 location in Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have by no means long gone to Washington County, you probably will Feel I'm building this up. For those who have long gone to Washington County, you'll fully grasp - and know this can be a genuine story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some pretty effective possum politicians noisy . '80s. Here's two matters they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the constructing from the monument alongside State Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even received the United States Congress to current market the possum. Congress read more joined the enjoyment by providing the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a spot to carry its yearly Enjoyable Day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other matters, the festival attracts a lot of individuals every year, and in order that they uncover it irresistible.
Time out For a lot of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will perform?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its unsightly overall body only during the night time. That is why, when you're throughout the correct commit Florida, you may hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It is not so hard to hook (or shoot) 1.
An inscription on the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's part in providing 'equally fur and food' with the overall centuries. It goes to say: 'Their presence right here has supplied a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in typical instances and it's been A vital aid to human survival way more distress and important want.'
Chortle if you like. The people today of Wausau will laugh along - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.