There's a area in Florida that crafted a 12-foot-substantial monument through town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone want to accomplish that?
Nicely, to begin with, heroes consider time and effort to receive inside this place set up Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland- Wausau, property of fewer than 500 individuals for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you should count on? No person else puts the possum which has a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau acquired sick and drained with currently being omitted in the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Every single place in position Florida requires a festival. And never just one commit Florida includes a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have never been to Washington County, you probably will think I'm building this up. In case you have gone to Washington County, you will understand - and know Here is the real Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some rather powerful possum politicians from the early '80s. Here's two issues they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the very first Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led towards the creating on the monument alongside State Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even obtained The usa Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by giving the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to hold its annual Exciting Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the festival draws in many people Every single and yearly, and so that they like it.
Outing For several educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will accomplish?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its ugly physique only at nighttime. That is why, if you are during the appropriate place in place Florida, you can hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so it really is not difficult seize (or shoot) a person.
An inscription within the monument in the heart of Wausau cites the possum's role in providing 'both fur and food stuff' in the hundreds of years. It goes on say: 'Their presence read more in this article has furnished a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in standard times and it's been A necessary assist to human survival a great deal more distress and important require.'
Chuckle If you'd like. The people of Wausau will snicker together with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.