There's a spend Florida that constructed a 12-foot-superior monument in the course of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone must do that?
Properly, 1st off, heroes are difficult to find within just this devote Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, residence of lower than five hundred folks for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? No one else places the possum with a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, back 1982, Wausau obtained Uninterested in being omitted from the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Each and every set in place Florida needs a festival. Rather than a person position in Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you most likely will Consider I am Hence, generating this up. Should you have gone to Washington County, you are going to recognize - and know Here is the genuine Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, had some pretty impressive possum politicians in the early '80s. Listed below are some things they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature more info to proclaim the main Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the making of the monument together Condition Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even acquired the United States Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the fun by providing the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a region to carry its annual Enjoyable Working day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other things, the Pageant appeals to plenty of folks Each and every and on a yearly basis, and they also discover it irresistible.
Time out for many educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its unsightly body only at night. This is why, while you are in the correct place set up Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', as a result it is not difficult to capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription for the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's part in supplying 'the two fur and foods' through the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their presence right here has furnished a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in typical occasions and possesses been a vital help to human survival way more distress and critical will need.'
Giggle if you prefer. The persons of Wausau will laugh together with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.