2019 Possum Festival Program

More Than You Need To Know About Wausau, Florida
The small town of Wausau, Florida, population just over
400, holds a very big title- ‘Possum Capital of the World’. To
celebrate this ubiquitous animal, the town holds an annual
Fun Day and Possum Festival, a totally free event on the
first Saturday in August, and the world is invited.
You’re likely to see local, regional and even national political
figures at the Wausau Possum Festival, especially during
election cycles, and the event was recently highlighted by
Women’s Day Magazine as one of the ‘world’s most unique
festivals’.
Admittedly one of the most unusual festivals you are likely
to attend, this event celebrates the Possum, a marsupial
which thrives in this part of Florida and which helped the
local population survive the Great Depression in the early
20th century.
Drawing attendees from all over the Southeast United
States, the event is always held the first Saturday in August,
and the scheduled entertainment includes Bluegrass,
Country and Gospel performers.
Arguably the hottest day of the year, the event includes a
large parade, arts and crafts, food (try the possum stew and
possum ice cream) and a Possum Auction. The annual
Possum King and Queen Contest is held the evening
prior to the Festival and this is something that you have to
experience to believe.
Wausau is in Washington County, Florida, United States,
about 9 miles south of Chipley and Interstate 10. Wausau
has a total area of 1.1 square miles, all of it land, and
there are approximately 170 households, and 110 families
residing in the town. This equates to a population density of
around 352 people per square mile with a racial makeup of
94.47% Caucasian, .50% African American, 0.75% Native
American, 0.25% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and
3.52% from two or more aces. Hispanics or Latinos make
up 2.51% of the population.
The population consists of 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.3%
from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64,
and 16.6% 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37
years and for every 100 females there are 94.1 males. For
every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $21,000,
and the median income for a family was $23,000.
The per capita income for the town is $10,722 and about
25% of families and 29.2% of the population were below
the poverty line, including 35.2% of those under age 18 and
19.7% of those aged 65 or over. Wausau has an elevation
of 85 feet above sea level.
All these (very dry) statistics aside, however, the reality is
that Wausau, Florida, along with the rest of Washington
County, offers what we like to call ‘The Real Florida’- a
pristine, unspoiled slice of a very relaxed lifestyle and a
quality of life sometimes all too hard to find. So enjoy your
time here as our guest during the Possum Festival, but
make plans to visit us again soon. You will find that there is
a quality of life, accompanied by a laissez-faire attitude that
is appealing and a refreshing change from urban or highpressure
areas. You’ll find that this area is a great place to
raise a family, relocate a business or to retire.
For more information about Wausau, Florida and to view
more photos, video clips, and interviews, visit us on
Facebook at Real Florida Magazine, or listen to interviews
on FPTC Radio, the voice of Florida Panhandle Technical
College at www.FPTCRadio.com.
28 50th Annual Wausau Possum Festival Program - August 2019 www.WausauPossumFestival.com