There's a invest Florida that designed a twelve-foot-high monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual choose to do that?
Well, to start, heroes are challenging to analysis on this devote Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, home of under 500 folks in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? No person else places the possum over the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, final 1982, Wausau acquired Ill and Bored with staying overlooked Using the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Every area in Florida would like a festival. Rather than one particular invest Florida includes a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have never ever long gone to Washington County, you almost certainly will think I'm making this up. For those who have frequented Washington County, you'll understand - and know this can be a real Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some very effective possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are a set of points they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led into the making while in the monument alongside Point out Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received America Congress to industry the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau can have a place to guidance its yearly Enjoyment Day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other points, the Pageant draws in A huge number of people today on a yearly basis, and they adore it.
Outing for any couple educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is definitely the equivalent lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will accomplish?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its ugly system only at night. That is why, if you are in the suitable devote Florida, you'll be able to listen to possum hunters' check here dogs baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', as a result it can be not tricky to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription in regards to the monument through Wausau cites the possum's function in providing 'the two fur and food stuff' from the centuries. It goes on say: 'Their presence listed here has supplied a source of nutritious and flavorful meals in regular occasions and has been A necessary help to human survival when in distress and important have to have.'
Chuckle when you'd favor. The individuals of Wausau will chortle coupled with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.