There is a spot in Florida that created a twelve-foot-large monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one may well like to do that?
Nicely, initially off, heroes are difficult to come by within just this devote Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, household of less than 500 folks in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you'd probably anticipate? No one else places the possum to the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, back in 1982, Wausau got Weary of staying left out while in the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each individual spend Florida demands a festival. Instead of just one position in Florida encompasses a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have not been to Washington County, you most likely will think I am Therefore, creating this up. In case you have long gone to Washington County, you can expect to have an understanding of - and know this can be a true Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some rather effective possum politicians over the early '80s. Here's a couple of points they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the creating While using the monument alongside State Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even obtained The usa Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by giving the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a spot to aid its annual Exciting Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, between other items, the festival appeals to Countless folks Just about every and each and every year, and they adore it.
Time out for lots of educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its unsightly human body only at night. That is why, if you end up within appropriate location in Florida, you'll be able to listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', hence it is not so difficult seize (or shoot) a single.
An inscription to the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's job in giving 'each fur and foodstuff' all through the generations. It goes on to say: 'Their presence below has provided check here a resource of nutritious and flavorful food items in normal situations and it has been a crucial help to human survival far more distress and demanding have to have.'
Chuckle if you prefer. The folks of Wausau will snicker with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.