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2018 Wausau Possum Festival Program

Official program for the 49th Annual Wausau Possum Festival on August 3 and 4, 2018, in historic Wausau, Florida.

Official program for the 49th Annual Wausau Possum Festival on August 3 and 4, 2018, in historic Wausau, Florida.

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August <strong>2018</strong><br />

www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 1


Dedicated To The Memory of Charles W. Park, Sr.<br />

Mr. Charles was a long-time resident of the town of <strong>Wausau</strong>, following<br />

his retirement after 21 years in the U.S. Air Force. Following his<br />

retirement, Charles began a second career with the Department of<br />

Transportation, where he retired after 20 years of service.<br />

Charles served the town as a council member and served as liaison<br />

to the fire department. Always an advocate for the fire department,<br />

he earned the affectionate title “RENEGADE BOSS”. As a member<br />

of the department, Charles volunteered for many projects and was<br />

always interested in making <strong>Wausau</strong> a better place to live. Charles<br />

loved being a mechanic and working on cars, which he did until his<br />

health began to fail. In his later years his joy came from his children<br />

and grandchildren.<br />

On September 4, 2015 Charles lost his wife Willie Mae Parks of 65<br />

years and never got over the loss, passing away himself on November<br />

2, 2017. Charles and Willie Mae have four children Billy/Joy Parks,<br />

James/Valerie Parks, Janice Morris, Mike/Carol Parks and numerous<br />

grandchildren.<br />

Photos contributed by family members.<br />

2 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com


Dedicated To The Memory of Paul Jerry Culbreth<br />

On February 28, 1947 Paul Jerry Culbreth was born to Arrie and Sarah Culbreth<br />

in Graceville, Florida, where he lived until he married Ivo Gail McAdams in 1969.<br />

In 1971 their daughter, Shirley Gail Culbreth, was born and in January 1973<br />

Paul began his military career in the National Guard. In 1974 he enlisted for full<br />

military duty in the United States Army, serving honorably for 12 years. Upon<br />

completion of his duty in the Army he had earned the rank of Staff Sergeant with<br />

numerous awards. Upon returning home he began working at Brown’s Funeral<br />

Home as an attendant, followed by work with the Washington County Road and<br />

Bridge as Inmate Supervisor for several years. Paul worked with Obert’s Funeral<br />

Home from 2009 to 2012, when his health began to fail.<br />

Ever though he worked full time jobs he always found time to volunteer his cooking<br />

skills wherever they were needed, and he helped at many fundraiser benefits.<br />

He was member of the <strong>Wausau</strong> Volunteer Fire Dept., <strong>Wausau</strong> Masonic Lodge<br />

#39, Optimist Club, <strong>Wausau</strong> Garden Club, Ferguson Cemetery Committee and<br />

a member of the <strong>Wausau</strong> City Council, which he served proudly.<br />

Paul was passionate about his family- daughter Shirley, grandchildren Mindy<br />

Wolfe, Kelsie Wheeler, Cody Rightenburg, Zane Rightenburg, and great-grand<br />

children Eryk Wheeler, Jaime Wheeler, Bentley Wheeler and Bailey Wolfe, whom<br />

he spoiled rotten. All of the grandchildren say there is no other Papa like him.<br />

The <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong><br />

is produced and published by<br />

Now in Print, on Radio & TV and Online<br />

MAGAZINE STAFF<br />

Publisher- Real Florida Media<br />

Editor- Paul Goulding<br />

Production Manager- Debbie Goulding<br />

Photographers- Ryan Ward, Debbie<br />

Goulding, Tona Skipper, Ashley Canter<br />

Advertising Sales- Debbie Goulding<br />

CONTACT INFORMATION<br />

Real Florida Magazine<br />

PO Box 615<br />

Chipley, Florida 32428<br />

850-258-2546<br />

Debbie@TheGouldingAgency.com<br />

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News@TheGouldingAgency.com<br />

GENERAL INQUIRIES<br />

Info@TheGouldingAgency.com<br />

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2010-<strong>2018</strong><br />

REAL FLORIDA MEDIA<br />

Real Florida Media offers consultation, design,<br />

public relations & production of photo, video<br />

and print and we specialize in corporate imaging<br />

and political campaigns. We also offer a<br />

full line of brochures, programs and full-size<br />

magazine periodicals, for corporate, political,<br />

business & special events.<br />

Photos contributed by family members.<br />

www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 3


<strong>Wausau</strong> Celebrates Northwest Florida Beauty with ‘Miss Funday’<br />

One of the highlights of the <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> is the ‘Miss Funday’ Pageant<br />

(not to be confused with the ‘<strong>Possum</strong> King & Queen Contest’, held on the Friday<br />

evening prior to the actual festival). The pageant is held on Saturday evening, one<br />

week before the festival, and this year entertains a ‘Denim & Plaid’ theme. There<br />

seems to be an unlimited supply of local beauties (and handsome young men) in<br />

the area, and this pageant event draws several hundred attendees, all vying for the<br />

coveted trophies, ribbons, crowns and bragging rights in several categories. Entire<br />

galleries of these photos, as well as video clips and interviews from the last several<br />

years, can be viewed at www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com.<br />

4 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com


www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 5


<strong>Wausau</strong> Celebrates Northwest Florida Beauty with ‘Miss Funday’<br />

6 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com


www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 7


<strong>Wausau</strong> Celebrates Northwest Florida Beauty with ‘Miss Funday’<br />

8 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com


Welcome to the 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong><br />

Commencing in the early morning hours with a pancake<br />

breakfast, progressing to a parade of seldom-seen size,<br />

feature or quality, then moving to musical entertainment,<br />

food and craft vendors and the world-famous <strong>Possum</strong><br />

Auction, the <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> literally offers<br />

something for everyone. Enjoy the history of the <strong>Possum</strong><br />

<strong>Festival</strong> in several photo galleries and video clips online at<br />

www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com.<br />

www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 9


10 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com


Welcome to the 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong><br />

www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 11


12 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com


www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 13


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AUGUST 4, <strong>2018</strong><br />

6:00 - Pancake Breakfast at <strong>Wausau</strong> Masonic Lodge (<strong>Wausau</strong>, FL)<br />

9:00 - Invocation and Welcome (<strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

9:15 - 10:15 - ‘Zion’s Way’ (Gospel @ <strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

10:00 - Big 49th Annual Fun Day Parade- (Downtown <strong>Wausau</strong>)<br />

10:15 -11:15 - Billy Lipford - (Country @ <strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

11:15 - 11:30 - Corn Pone Baking- Winners Announced (<strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

11:30 - 12:00 - Flag Raising & National Anthem- (<strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

12:00 - 12:30 - Big <strong>Possum</strong> Auction & Quilt Auction- (<strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

12:30 - 1:30 - Political Guests - 3 minutes each (<strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

1:30 - 2:30 - ‘Cross Cut’ - (Bluegrass @ <strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

2:30 - 3:30 - ‘Zion’s Way’ (Gospel @ <strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

3:30 - 4:00 - Billy Lipford - (Country @ <strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

4:00 - 5:30 - ‘Hog Callin’ (<strong>Possum</strong> Palace)<br />

FESTIVAL COMMITTEE<br />

Founder: Mr. Dalton Carter<br />

Chairman: Mr. Joe Tharp<br />

Parade ChairPerson: Mrs. Margaret Riley<br />

W.V.F.D. Chairman: Mr. Sam Rudd<br />

Arts & Crafts Contact: (850) 638-1781<br />

Entertainment Chairman: “Bunk” Corbin (850) 638-5023<br />

Information at www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com<br />

14 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com


Welcome to the <strong>Festival</strong>!<br />

Welcome to the 49th Annual Funday and <strong>Possum</strong><br />

<strong>Festival</strong>. The <strong>Wausau</strong> Volunteer Fire Department<br />

and the <strong>Wausau</strong> Development Club celebrates yet<br />

another year of the festival that was conceived<br />

by Dalton Carter in 1970. This year we continue<br />

to feature our heritage as we enjoy a ‘Country-<br />

Western’-themed pageant on July 28, the Saturday<br />

before the festival activities. This adds another<br />

element to the ‘retro’ effort of the festival, reviving<br />

some of the former attractions of the event,<br />

from greasy pole to sack racing to cross-cut saw<br />

competition. Woman’s Day Magazine named the<br />

<strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> ‘One of the ten most<br />

unique festivals in America’ and we have garnered<br />

national attention. We have been joined by<br />

Florida Governors, including most recently, Rick<br />

Scott. We have been fortunate to be highlighted<br />

in media- both print and electronic- and people<br />

are getting to know and recognize our small town<br />

with the BIG festival, held on the first Saturday of<br />

August.<br />

The Funday Committee provides a wholesome<br />

family event, with entertainment at absolutely no<br />

cost to our guests, and we want all who attend to<br />

feel welcome. More importantly, we want you to<br />

leave with an appreciation for our volunteers. All<br />

profits go directly to the <strong>Wausau</strong> Volunteer Fire<br />

Department and <strong>Wausau</strong> Development Club, both<br />

non-profit organizations, and our activities include<br />

the Little Miss Funday Pageant, <strong>Possum</strong> King And<br />

Queen Contests and much more.<br />

The Fire Department uses these funds to improve<br />

fire equipment and provide fire service to the<br />

citizens of Washington County and the City of<br />

<strong>Wausau</strong>. The <strong>Wausau</strong> Development Club primarily<br />

utilizes the funds it receives to award scholarships<br />

to deserving students in Washington County. We<br />

want to thank the Washington County Sheriff’s<br />

Office for their help, as well as all our volunteers<br />

and sponsors. We especially thank you, as our<br />

guest, because without you there would be no<br />

festival. Again, welcome and thanks for attending!<br />

www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 15


More Than You Need To Know About <strong>Wausau</strong>, Florida<br />

The small town of <strong>Wausau</strong>, Florida, population just over<br />

400, holds a very big title- ‘<strong>Possum</strong> Capital of the World’. To<br />

celebrate this ubiquitous animal, the town holds an annual<br />

Fun Day and <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong>, a totally free event on the<br />

first Saturday in August, and the world is invited.<br />

You’re likely to see local, regional and even national political<br />

figures at the <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong>, especially during<br />

election cycles, and the event was recently highlighted by<br />

Women’s Day Magazine as one of the ‘world’s most unique<br />

festivals’.<br />

Admittedly one of the most unusual festivals you are likely<br />

to attend, this event celebrates the <strong>Possum</strong>, a marsupial<br />

which thrives in this part of Florida and which helped the<br />

local population survive the Great Depression in the early<br />

20th century.<br />

Drawing attendees from all over the Southeast United<br />

States, the event is always held the first Saturday in August,<br />

and the scheduled entertainment includes Bluegrass,<br />

Country and Gospel performers.<br />

Arguably the hottest day of the year, the event includes a<br />

large parade, arts and crafts, food (try the possum stew and<br />

possum ice cream) and a <strong>Possum</strong> Auction. The annual<br />

<strong>Possum</strong> King and Queen Contest is held the evening<br />

prior to the <strong>Festival</strong> and this is something that you have to<br />

experience to believe.<br />

<strong>Wausau</strong> is in Washington County, Florida, United States,<br />

about 9 miles south of Chipley and Interstate 10. <strong>Wausau</strong><br />

has a total area of 1.1 square miles, all of it land, and<br />

there are approximately 170 households, and 110 families<br />

residing in the town. This equates to a population density of<br />

around 352 people per square mile with a racial makeup of<br />

94.47% Caucasian, .50% African American, 0.75% Native<br />

American, 0.25% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and<br />

3.52% from two or more aces. Hispanics or Latinos make<br />

up 2.51% of the population.<br />

The population consists of 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.3%<br />

from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64,<br />

and 16.6% 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37<br />

years and for every 100 females there are 94.1 males. For<br />

every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89 males.<br />

The median income for a household in the town is $21,000,<br />

and the median income for a family was $23,000.<br />

The per capita income for the town is $10,722 and about<br />

25% of families and 29.2% of the population were below<br />

the poverty line, including 35.2% of those under age 18 and<br />

19.7% of those aged 65 or over. <strong>Wausau</strong> has an elevation<br />

of 85 feet above sea level.<br />

All these (very dry) statistics aside, however, the reality is<br />

that <strong>Wausau</strong>, Florida, along with the rest of Washington<br />

County, offers what we like to call ‘The Real Florida’- a<br />

pristine, unspoiled slice of a very relaxed lifestyle and a<br />

quality of life sometimes all too hard to find. So enjoy your<br />

time here as our guest during the <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong>, but<br />

make plans to visit us again soon. You will find that there is<br />

a quality of life, accompanied by a laissez-faire attitude that<br />

is appealing and a refreshing change from urban or highpressure<br />

areas. You’ll find that this area is a great place to<br />

raise a family, relocate a business or to retire.<br />

For more information about <strong>Wausau</strong>, Florida and to view<br />

more photos, video clips, and interviews, visit us on<br />

Facebook at Real Florida Magazine, or listen to interviews<br />

on FPTC radio, the voice of Florida Panhandle Technical<br />

College at www.FPTCRadio.com.<br />

16 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com


www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 17


A Unique Feature of a Unique <strong>Festival</strong><br />

One feature of the <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> that<br />

truly remains ‘one of a kind’ is the annual ‘King and<br />

Queen Contest’ held on the Friday evening prior<br />

to the festival. Competition is fierce as characters<br />

come from all over the region to compete for the<br />

trophies, bragging rights and cash prizes awarded<br />

to ‘<strong>Possum</strong> King’ and ‘<strong>Possum</strong> Queen’. See more<br />

photos along with video clips and interviews at<br />

www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com.<br />

18 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com


www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> 19


20 49th Annual <strong>Wausau</strong> <strong>Possum</strong> <strong>Festival</strong> <strong>Program</strong> - August <strong>2018</strong> www.<strong>Wausau</strong><strong>Possum</strong><strong>Festival</strong>.com

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