There is a put in place Florida that crafted a twelve-foot-large monument in the middle of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person may like to do that?
Very well, to begin with, heroes are difficult to obtain in this spot in Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, residence of much less than five hundred people during Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? No person else places the possum which has a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau acquired Fed up with staying left out from the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Every commit Florida requirements a Competition. And never one particular put in position Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't visited Washington County, you probably will Imagine I'm developing this up. When you've got attended Washington County, you can comprehend - and know It's really a accurate story.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some pretty effective possum politicians from the early '80s. Listed here are several points they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the very first Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the setting up within the monument alongside Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even bought The us Congress in selling the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a location to help keep its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing read more a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the Pageant draws in A huge number of individuals Every and every year, and so they uncover it irresistible.
Time out For lots of educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six is going to do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its unappealing body only during the night time. This is why, when you are while in the right set set up Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', consequently it truly is not complicated to hook (or shoot) a person.
An inscription within the monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's function in delivering 'equally fur and food stuff' from the total centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence below has provided a source of nutritious and flavorful food items in regular times and it has been a big aid to human survival when in distress and significant have to have.'
Chortle if you like. The men and women of Wausau will giggle with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.