There is a commit Florida that created a twelve-foot-substantial monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone have to do that?
Perfectly, to get started with, heroes are challenging to investigate Within this invest Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, residence of less than 500 folks in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero To place it mildly? Nobody else puts the possum more than a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau received fed up with being omitted of your Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each individual devote Florida requires a Competition. Rather than just one set in position Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not been to Washington County, you almost certainly will Assume I am making this up. In case you have attended Washington County, you can realize - and know this is the legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some pretty strong possum politicians in early '80s. Here i will discuss a pair of items they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the main Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the setting up during the monument alongside Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even got The usa Congress in promoting the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might need a site to carry its yearly Pleasurable Day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other points, the Pageant draws in Many of us each and every year, and so that they find it irresistible.
Day trip for lots of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is definitely the equivalent lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will carry out?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its unpleasant system only at nighttime. This is why, In case you are Within the suitable make investments Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so it is actually quick to capture (or shoot) 1.
An inscription to the monument during website Wausau cites the possum's function in supplying 'equally fur and meals' through the hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their existence listed here has furnished a supply of nutritious and flavorful food items in typical moments and possesses been a vital assist to human survival when in distress and critical require.'
Snicker If you need. The persons of Wausau will snicker coupled with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.