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.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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 />
NEWS & EDITORIAL SUBMISSION<br />
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