There's a commit Florida that created a 12-foot-substantial monument throughout city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone want to perform that?
Nicely, to begin with, heroes are challenging to investigate inside this put set up Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, dwelling of under 500 individuals in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to put it mildly? No one else places the possum having a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, back in 1982, Wausau obtained sick and worn out with getting ignored of the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Every single devote Florida desires a Competition. Rather than one place in position Florida features a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've got by no means attended Washington County, you almost certainly will Imagine I am generating this up. If you have been to Washington County, you are going to recognize - and know this is the genuine story.
Wausau, it turned out, had some really strong possum politicians noisy . '80s. Listed below are a handful of items they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led towards the building from the monument along Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even acquired The us Congress to current market the get more info possum. Congress joined the fun by supplying the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a place to maintain its yearly Entertaining Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amid other items, the festival appeals to a lot of men and women each and every year, furthermore they adore it.
Trip for some educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its unattractive body only at nighttime. This is exactly why, when you find yourself inside the correct commit Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', therefore it truly is not so hard to hook (or shoot) a single.
An inscription for your monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's position in furnishing 'the two fur and food items' all through the generations. It goes on to say: 'Their existence below has presented a resource of nutritious and flavorful meals in normal occasions and it's been An important support to human survival when in distress and significant will need.'
Chortle If you prefer. The men and women of Wausau will giggle in addition to you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.