2021 Wausau Possum Festival

Spotlight on Wausau Possum Festival

‘One of the Most Unique Festivals in America’

2021 Wausau Possum Festival Guide 1

Wausau, Florida Possum Festival

2 2021 Wausau Possum Festival Guide 2021 Wausau Possum Festival Guide 3




Welcome to the 52nd annual celebration of the marsupial that put Wausau,

Florida on the map- the Wausau Possum Festival and Fun Day.

Created by Dalton Carter and the Wausau community in 1970 as a way to give

the residents of the region a family-friendly and children-safe activity during the

‘dog days’ of the Summer, this event celebrates not only the lowly possum, but

more importantly, this hearty and resilient community.

In this unofficial publication we will take a look back at the past 10 years of

‘possum parties’- including a glimpse at the people, culture and heritage of the

region, as documented by Paul Goulding Photography in Chipley, Florida.

The full-page photographs seen in this publication are the cover photos used

over the past decade of ‘Possum Programs’, along with several that did not

make the cut at the time, but are worth taking a second look.

As part of this effort, we are including a ‘tip of the hat’ to many businesses who

helped support the festival, by including a complimentary insertion of their

business ad. Their fiscal support subsequently helped to fund the the Wausau

Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the Scholarship efforts of the Wausau

Community Development Club, as seen below. ‘Thank You’ to all of you.

FRONT COVER- Ten years ago, political candidate Dianne Berryhill graced the cover of

the ‘43rd Annual Wausau Possum Festival’ program, one of the very first official Wausau

Possum Festival publications, as photographed by Debbie Goulding for Paul Goulding

Photography, a subsidiary of The Goulding Agency in Chipley, Florida.

BELOW- The Wausau Development Club volunteers pose for a rare photograph in front

of the official Wausau Possum Festival monument in Downtown Wausau, Florida.

Now in Print, on Radio & TV, and Online

MAGAZINE STAFF

Publisher- Real Florida Media

Editor- Paul Goulding

Production Manager- Debbie Goulding

Photographers- Ryan Ward, Debbie

Goulding, Sydney Spencer

Advertising Sales- Debbie Goulding

CONTACT INFORMATION

Real Florida Magazine

PO Box 615

Chipley, Florida 32428

850-258-2546

RealFloridaMagazine@TheGouldingAgency.com

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2010-2021

REAL FLORIDA MEDIA

DISCLAIMER

Statements and opinions in this publication

are solely those of the contributors and do

not necessarily reflect the opinions of The

Goulding Agency, Real Florida Media or

the editorial staff of Real Florida Magazine.

The appearance of advertisements in this

magazine is not a warranty, endorsement

or approval of the products or services

advertised, and these businesses are not

charged for these ads.

All photos are protected by intellectual

property laws and unauthorized use of these

materials may violate such laws, except as

expressly provided by Real Florida Media,

Paul Goulding Photography, Real Florida

Magazine and The Goulding Agency.




Real Florida Magazine had the opportunity to sit down and speak with the founder of ‘Wausau Possum Festival’, Dalton

Carter, and here are those video clips. Simply click on the links to watch Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 of that interview (below).

PART 1: https://youtu.be/p9noJPeT5zg

PART 2: https://youtu.be/OguadkVot5M

PART 3: https://youtu.be/2rLi2xko_M8

PART 4: https://youtu.be/AX0lbcO1JkU

Real Florida Magazine had the opportunity to bring three members of the Wausau Development Club, including Possum

Festival Founder Dalton Carter, into the studio to get their take on the history of the event, and here are those video clips.

Simply click on the links to watch Parts 1and 2 of that interview (below).

PART 1: https://youtu.be/9i-tVXQ7mm8

PART 2: https://youtu.be/bfntAmG5juA

2020 saw the COVID Pandemic cancel or postpone many regional events and festivals, and the Possum Festival was

affected in that same way, so the organizers decided to conduct a ‘virtual’ Possum King and Possum Queen Contest, and

you may view video clips of those competitons and intrviews (below).

Joe Possum Interview: https://youtu.be/H_cENjdD0QI

Juna Tuna Interview: https://youtu.be/DSBrBhj1-wM

Rowdy Possum Interview: https://youtu.be/mkReMGeqpLw

Dolly Possums Interview: https://youtu.be/8Rwxz4vok6A

Joe Possum sings ‘Possum and Taters’: https://youtu.be/ULVgonTKMKA







































There have been a lot of changes in Wausau since 1970,

the year the Wausau Possum Festival and Fun Day was

created by Dalton Carter and the Wausau community.

In 1970 there were no computers, digital cameras or electric

cars. There was no internet, no cell phones, Facebook or

Instagram. Our children ran around barefoot on occasion,

stayed outside well after dark and even ran with scissors.

Children rode in the back of pick-up trucks, and we didn’t

even use seatbelts.

Still, we managed to live a good life, full of promise and

hope, and we loved and took advantage of most everything

God gave us- sunshine, the old swimming hole and the

culture and heritage of Northwest Florida.

The world has changed in the last 52 years, but this festival

remains- still paying homage to our history, heritage and

simpler way of life, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks for being our guest at the 52nd anniversary of what

started out as a dream to put Wausau on the map and give

people something to do during the ‘dog days’ of Summer.



More Than You Need To Know About Wausau, Florida

The small town of Wausau, Florida has a population of just

over 400, but 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 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.

Arguably the hottest day of the year, the event includes

a parade, with the festival normally inclusive of arts and

crafts, food (try the possum stew and possum ice cream),

entertainment and the annual Possum King and Queen

Contest.

Wausau is in Washington County, Florida, United States,

about 9 miles south of Chipley and Interstate 10, with a total

area of 1.1 square miles, 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 over 18, 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.

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 elsewhere.

Enjoy your time here as our guest during the Possum

Festival, and make plans to visit us again soon. You will find

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 the Town of

Wausau on our website at www.WausauFlorida.net, visit

us on Facebook at Wausau Possum Festival or visit our

festival website at www.WausauPossumFestival.com.






Real Florida Magazine solicited readers to nominate choices

for the best providers of goods, services and events, in

response to requests to refer these services to the public.

Please join us in congratulating these winners for 2021:

Air Conditioning Service: Woodall’s Total Comfort (Marianna)

Attorney/Law Office: Shannon Saunders, P.A. (Marianna)

Automotive Detailer/Car Wash: Splash and Dash (Chipley)

Automotive/Oil Change: Nichol’s Auto Repair (Chipley)

Automotive/Repair: Nichols Auto Repair (Chipley)

Bank: One Florida Bank (Chipley)

Bedding: WestPoint Home Factory Outlet (Chipley)

Butcher Shop/Meats: Stone’s Meats (Chipley)

Carpet Cleaning/Water Extraction: Carpet Masters (Chipley)

Caterer: Catering By Lisa (Panama City)

Chiropractor: Dr. Mark Taylor (Chipley)

Clothing/Boutique: Emmie & Co. (Chipley)

CPA/Accounting Services: Sasser’s Bookkeeping (Chipley)

Credit Union: Community South Credit (Chipley)

Dentist: Jack Taylor, DMD (Chipley)

Event/Holiday: Vernon, Florida July 4 Celebration (Vernon)

Event/Children: ‘ArtKidDoo’ Festival (Chipley)

Event/Festival: Panhandle Watermelon Festival (Chipley)

Farm/Feed and Seed: Main Street Market (Chipley)

Florist: Blossom’s Floral & Boutique (Chipley)

Fraternal Organization: Chipley Kiwanis Club (Chipley)

Furniture Store (New): Chavers-Brock (Chipley)

Furniture Store (Used): B&B Furniture (Chipley)

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables: Main Street Market (Chipley)

Grocery Store: Walmart (Chipley)

Guns/Firearms: Chipley Gun & Pawn (Chipley)

Gym/Fitness Facility: Chipley Therapy Group (Chipley)

Hair Stylist: Salon Blow (Chipley)

Hardware/Building Supplies: Chipley Hardware (Chipley)

Health Foods: New Beginning (Chipley)

Hospital: Northwest Florida Community Hospital (Chipley)

Insurance (Car/Home/Life): Rogers Insurance (Chipley)

Jeweler/Jewelry Store: Watson Jewelers (Marianna)

Lawn Care: Legendary Lawn Maintenance (Chipley)

Massage: Dr. Mark Taylor (Chipley)

Music/Band: Dickie Merritt & Original Bama Jam (Marianna)

Musical Event: Marianna Summer Concert Series (Marianna)

New Car Sales: Marianna Toyota (Marianna)

News Service/Online: Foster Folly News (Chipley)

News/Newspaper: Jackson County Times (Marianna)

Parade: Bonifay Rodeo Parade (Bonifay)

Pest Control: Redmon Home Solutions (Dothan)

Pharmacy/Drug Store: King’s Drugs (Chipley)

Photographer/Studio Photos: Brannan Studios (Graceville)

Physical Therapist: Chipley Therapy Group (Chipley)

Plumber/Plumbing Service: Harrison’s Plumbing (Marianna)

Physician/PA/Medical: Wendy Corbin/Healthcare (Chipley)

Radio Station: WOOF-FM (Dothan)

Realtor/Real Estate: Cindy Birge, Elite Realty (Chipley)

Retail Store/General Store: Walmart (Chipley)

Restaurant/Sandwich: BJ’s Grill (Chipley)

Restaurant/Full Service: Javier’s Mexican Grill (Chipley)

Restaurant/Quick Serve: Zaxby’s (Marianna)

Shoe Store/Boots: Westerner (Chipley)

Sporting Goods: King’s Outdoors (Chipley)

College: Florida Panhandle Technical College (Chipley)

Television Station: WTVY-TV (Dothan)

Tires/Alignment: Walmart (Chipley)

Used Car Sales: Corbin Auto Sales (Chipley)

Veterinarian: Panhandle Veterinary Services (Chipley)







66 2021 Wausau Possum Festival Guide

2021 Wausau Possum Festival

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