Make plans now to live large at the 43rd Annual Wausau Possum Festival in Wausau, Fla.
It has arrived at last.
The 43rd Annual Wausau Possum Festival in Wausau, Fla., is this weekend.
Be forewarned – this possum business is very, very big damn deal in Wausau. Here’s this year’s TV commercial.
Schedule of Events
Here’s a rundown of festival fun. For the complete schedule, click here.
- ‘Possum King & Queen’ Contest, Fri., Aug. 3
- Pancake Breakfast
- Entertainment All Day
- Arts & Crafts Vendors
- Possum Trot 5K Run
- Possum Parade
- Hog Callin’, Rooster Crowin’ & Cow Lowin’ Contests
- Horseshoe Pitching
- Gospel, Bluegrass & Country Music
Annual Possum Festival A County Institution
Held on the first Saturday in August every year, the Wausau Possum Festival coincides with Florida’s official state Possum Day and is a Washington County institution.
The Possum Palace, the venue for the Possum Festival and related events, is funded in part by an act of the US Congress.
Originally called Fun Day, the Possum Festival is the brainchild of one Dalton Carter, who sought to unite Wausau around a favorite Florida Cracker meal, the North American Opposum.
Now nationally recognized for its as the “Possum Capital of the World,” Wausau invites local politicians running for state office to help raise money to endow scholarships for local kids and to donate to the local fire department.
No Possums Are Harmed
Yes, it’s true that Wausau loves its possums.
To prove it, after the auction, Possum Festival organizers release festival possums back into the wild.
About Wausau & Washington County
A town of about 500 people established in 1889, Wausau grew up around a general store built and owned by John B. Glen formerly of Wausau, Wisc., the the town’s first postmaster and considered its founder.
Founded on Dec. 29, 1825, as the twelfth county in the state of Florida, Washington county is named for President George Washington and was settled by early pioneers who hunted, farmed and traded with the local Indians. Tourists visit Washington county for the great natural beauty of the many springs, spring-fed creeks and the beautiful woodlands. Washington County history is rich with legends and folklore.
43rd Annual Wausau Possum Festival
- Sat., Aug. 4, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Downtown Wausau, Fla., approx. 9 miles south of Chipley, Fla., just past Pioneer Rd. Turn west on Buster Rogers Ave. for the Possum Palace and ball park. If you reach 1st Ave., you’ve gone a little too far.
- Contact: Margaret Riley, Town Clerk
- Phone: 850-638-1781
- Email: TownofWausau@bellsouth.net
www.paulgoulding.com/indexWausauPossumFestival.html
-30-
©2012 All rights reserved.
OFFICIAL BIO: K Truitt is a second-generation, native Floridian born in Jacksonville. Truitt worked in public higher education for 25 years, most recently in Texas, is a successful grant writer, knows newspaper publishing, printing and graphic design and wants to work in the public sector. Contact: kt.4examiner@yahoo.com
