There is a spot in Florida that created a 12-foot-large monument in the middle of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person choose to do that?
Nicely, to get started with, heroes are difficult to come back by Within this place in position Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland- Wausau, household of below five hundred individuals in the midst of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you'll count on? Nobody else places the possum on a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, back in 1982, Wausau acquired Fed up with getting ignored within the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Every spot in Florida would like a Competition. Instead of 1 make investments Florida includes a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you've got hardly ever visited Washington County, you probably will think I am building this up. For those who have been to Washington County, you may recognize - and know This is actually the true Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some fairly powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Listed below are some things they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the extremely initially Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led for the setting up in the monument together Condition Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even bought The usa Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the exciting by way of offering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a spot to hold its annual Enjoyable Day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the Pageant attracts 1000s of persons each and on a yearly basis, and in order that more info they obtain it irresistible.
Day trip for some educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six can perform?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its ugly human body only in the evening. This is why, when you are in the right place in position Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so It'll be not tough to hook (or shoot) 1.
An inscription over the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's function in supplying 'the two fur and foodstuff' throughout the complete hundreds of years. It goes to say: 'Their existence right here has provided an origin of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in normal periods and possesses been a significant support to human survival in situations of distress and important need.'
Laugh for those who'd want. The persons of Wausau will snicker along with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.