There is a dedicate Florida that crafted a 12-foot-significant monument in the middle of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person may like to do that?
Perfectly, to begin, heroes take effort and time to investigate in this place in Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland - Wausau, house of a lot less than 500 people for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to put it mildly? No one else places the possum more than a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back 1982, Wausau bought Ill and worn out with being neglected Along with the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Every single commit Florida requires a festival. Rather than one particular put in Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have not frequented Washington County, you probably will Imagine I'm causeing this for being up. In case you have been to Washington County, you are going to realize - and know This is actually the genuine Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some rather strong possum politicians while in the early '80s. Listed here are certain things they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led towards the making of your monument together Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even got the United States Congress in advertising and marketing the possum. Congress joined the exciting by giving the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a area to help its annual Enjoyable Working day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, between other factors, the festival draws in plenty of individuals Every single and every year, in addition they find it irresistible.
Time out for a few educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its unsightly overall body only at night. That's why, if you find yourself Within the proper devote Florida, you may hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It is really straightforward enough to hook (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription around the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's function in delivering 'both fur and meals' in the hundreds of years. It goes onto say: 'Their existence below has more info delivered a source of nutritious and flavorful foods in typical instances and it's been an essential enable to human survival when in distress and critical need.'
Giggle in the event you'd want. The individuals of Wausau will chortle together with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.