There's a put in position Florida that designed a 12-foot-large monument in the course of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone must do that?
Nicely, to start with, heroes just take effort and time to come back by with this commit Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland- Wausau, dwelling of fewer than 500 folks in the midst of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to say the the very least? Nobody else places the possum that has a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, back 1982, Wausau received sick and worn out with getting ignored within the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Every single invest Florida requirements a Pageant. Rather than just one place in Florida features a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you've got hardly ever been to Washington County, you probably will Believe I am building this up. When you have been to Washington County, you can comprehend - and know It is just a correct Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some rather effective possum politicians in the early '80s. Here's two items they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the creating in the monument along Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even received The usa Congress in click here advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the fun by providing the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could possibly have an area to maintain its yearly Entertaining Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, between other factors, the festival appeals to Many individuals each and every year, and so they come across it irresistible.
Day trip for many educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will execute?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its unsightly body only during the night time. That is why, if you're within the ideal dedicate Florida, you'll be able to listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it really is effortless to capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription to the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's part in giving 'both fur and food stuff' with the complete centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence listed here has furnished a resource of nutritious and flavorful food items in regular moments and consists of been a significant support to human survival in the course of moments of distress and important need.'
Laugh if you like. The folks of Wausau will giggle together with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.