There is a put in place Florida that built a 12-foot-superior monument all through town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person ought to do that?
Properly, very first off, heroes are really hard to seek out on this commit Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, property of less than 500 folks in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? Nobody else puts the possum by using a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, previous 1982, Wausau got Ill and weary with becoming omitted inside the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each make investments Florida demands a Pageant. And never one particular devote Florida contains a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have never gone to Washington County, you most likely will Feel I am causeing this to become up. When you have been to Washington County, you will have an understanding of - and know this can be a real Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some pretty effective possum politicians in early '80s. Allow me to share two matters they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led into the setting up with the monument along Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained The us Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by way of providing the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a location to carry its once-a-year Entertaining Day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other factors, the Pageant draws in loads of folks annually, in addition they uncover it irresistible.
Day out for many educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will conduct?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its ugly entire body only during the night time. That's why, when you find yourself Within the correct place in place Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', website so It is basic sufficient to trap (or shoot) a person.
An inscription with regard to the monument in the guts of Wausau cites the possum's function in delivering 'both of those fur and meals' all over the hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their existence in this article has provided a resource of nutritious and flavorful foods in typical instances and has been a vital aid to human survival in instances of distress and demanding have to have.'
Giggle if you want. The individuals of Wausau will giggle along with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.