There is a dedicate Florida that developed a 12-foot-higher monument in the course of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody need to do that?
Well, first off, heroes are tricky to come by within just this invest Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland- Wausau, home of below five hundred people throughout Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to state the least? Nobody else puts the possum more than a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau received Unwell and drained with currently being overlooked Together with the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Just about every make investments Florida needs a Competition. And never 1 location in Florida encompasses a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you most likely will Consider I am creating this up. When you have attended Washington County, you can realize - and know this is the real story.
Wausau, it proved, had some really effective possum politicians noisy . '80s. Listed below are a set of points they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the primary Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the developing from the monument along State Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even received The us Congress in advertising the possum. Congress joined the exciting by supplying the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a location to hold its annual Pleasurable Day website and Possum Festival. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the festival appeals to tons of men and women each year, and In addition they adore it.
Trip for a few educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum will be the identical lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its hideous human body only in the evening. That's why, when you are within the suitable place set up Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', consequently it is uncomplicated to capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription within the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in providing 'the two fur and food items' through the entire centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has offered a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in ordinary situations and possesses been a crucial guide to human survival in periods of distress and significant require.'
Chortle if you like. The men and women of Wausau will snicker alongside - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.