There's a make investments Florida that created a twelve-foot-high monument in the middle of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody might like to do that?
Very well, to start with, heroes take effort and time to return by Within this place in Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, dwelling of less than five hundred folks in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to mention the the very least? Nobody else puts the possum on a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, last 1982, Wausau acquired Ill and worn out with being neglected during the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each and every invest Florida requires a Pageant. And never 1 place in Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have not visited Washington County, you almost certainly will Consider I am producing this up. Should you have attended Washington County, you may understand - and know this can be a accurate story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some pretty potent possum politicians during the early '80s. Listed here are two factors they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to your constructing Using the monument alongside Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even bought The us Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by means of furnishing the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a spot to support its annual Exciting Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the festival appeals to tons of people Each and every and each year, as well as they adore it.
Day trip for many educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is equivalent lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 can do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its hideous entire body only in the evening. This is why, once you find yourself within the correct commit Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it is actually uncomplicated to hook (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription with the monument in the midst of Wausau here cites the possum's part in giving 'both fur and meals' from the generations. It goes on say: 'Their presence in this article has delivered an origin of nutritious and flavorful food in normal situations and possesses been a vital assistance to human survival for the duration of occasions of distress and significant need.'
Giggle if you like. The people today of Wausau will chuckle along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.