There is a commit Florida that built a twelve-foot-high monument throughout city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone want to do that?
Perfectly, to begin with, heroes are difficult to receive in this place set up Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, residence of less than 500 folks in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you'd anticipate? No person else places the possum within the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back again in 1982, Wausau received tired of staying left out inside the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Every devote Florida requires a Pageant. And never a person invest Florida incorporates a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't long gone to Washington County, you most likely will Assume I'm causeing this to be up. Should you have been to Washington County, you'll fully grasp - and know this can be a accurate story.
Wausau, it turned out, had some pretty strong possum politicians noisy . '80s. Here are a couple of factors they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to the making within the monument along Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even obtained The us Congress in endorsing the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by get more info offering the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau can have a region to help keep its annual Exciting Working day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other things, the festival appeals to A large number of persons Every single and each and every year, plus they adore it.
Time out for lots of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 is going to do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unsightly body only at nighttime. That is why, In case you are within correct devote Florida, you could hear possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it really is simple to hook (or shoot) a single.
An inscription to the monument in the heart of Wausau cites the possum's position in giving 'the two fur and food stuff' through the centuries. It goes on say: 'Their presence in this article has offered an origin of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in typical instances and possesses been an essential aid to human survival in moments of distress and demanding need.'
Chortle if you want. The persons of Wausau will giggle along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.