There's a devote Florida that constructed a 12-foot-superior monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person should do that?
Effectively, 1st off, heroes are tricky to seek out on this make investments Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, dwelling of less than 500 people in the heart of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to convey the least? No person else puts the possum using a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, back in 1982, Wausau acquired Bored with remaining ignored in the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each put set up Florida requires a festival. Instead of one particular devote Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have never long gone to Washington County, you almost certainly will Consider I'm building this up. In case you have been to Washington County, you are going to comprehend - and know this is a accurate Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, had some fairly potent possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are two points they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the setting up from your monument alongside State Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received the United States Congress in advertising the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by providing the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so click here Wausau would have a locale to assist its yearly Entertaining Day and Possum Competition. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amid other issues, the Pageant draws in A large number of people today Every single and annually, and they adore it.
Time out for plenty of educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its unsightly physique only at nighttime. That is why, if you end up within the ideal commit Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', thus it truly is not so difficult to hook (or shoot) 1.
An inscription for that monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's function in providing 'both equally fur and foods' throughout the hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their presence below has provided a supply of nutritious and flavorful meals in typical instances and has been A vital assist to human survival in situations of distress and demanding need.'
Chortle if you want. The men and women of Wausau will laugh with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.