There's a position in Florida that designed a twelve-foot-higher monument in the course of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone want to accomplish that?
Effectively, to start with, heroes just take time and effort to come by in just this spend Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, residence of under 500 folks in the heart of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero as you would probably anticipate? No one else puts the possum around the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau acquired fed up with staying ignored of the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Just about every position in Florida needs a festival. Rather than one particular commit Florida includes a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you've hardly ever frequented Washington County, you probably will Imagine I am generating this up. When you've got attended Washington County, you'll fully grasp - and know it is a legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some fairly effective possum politicians during the early '80s. Here i will discuss certain things they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the really very first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the constructing through the monument together State Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even acquired America Congress in marketing the possum. Congress joined the fun by way of supplying the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to carry its once-a-year Enjoyment Working day and Possum Competition. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, between other matters, the Competition draws in heaps of individuals Every and each year, and so that they find it irresistible.
Day trip For lots of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is definitely the identical lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its unappealing entire body only in the evening. This is why, when you find yourself Within the correct put set up Florida, you may hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It is really straightforward enough capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription with regard to the monument in the heart of Wausau cites the possum's part in giving 'each fur and foodstuff' throughout the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their existence below has furnished a supply of nutritious and flavorful meals in get more info regular occasions and it's been an essential help to human survival when in distress and important need to have.'
Laugh If you would like. The people of Wausau will giggle together with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.