There's a area in Florida that constructed a 12-foot-substantial monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person must do that?
Very well, to start, heroes are tough to come by in this set in position Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland- Wausau, home of much less than five hundred individuals in the middle of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to mention the the very least? No one else places the possum which has a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau got Weary of remaining neglected Along with the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each and every put in Florida requires a festival. And not 1 area in Florida includes a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have in no way visited Washington County, you most likely will Consider I am Hence, creating this up. Should you have visited Washington County, you will have an understanding of - and know It's a accurate story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some rather powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Here i will discuss a pair of items they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the primary Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led into the building in the monument together Point out Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even obtained The us Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by supplying the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have an area to carry its annual Fun Working day and Possum Festival. Showcasing website a queen contest and possum auction, amid other items, the Pageant appeals to Countless folks yearly, moreover they adore it.
Time out to get a couple of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum will be the equivalent lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will complete?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and shows its unattractive human body only during the night. This is why, once you find yourself in the correct commit Florida, you are able to hear possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It is simple sufficient seize (or shoot) just one.
An inscription to the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's function in providing 'both of those fur and foodstuff' with the hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their existence right here has delivered a source of nutritious and flavorful food in standard times and consists of been a substantial enable to human survival through situations of distress and significant will need.'
Snicker in the event you'd favor. The people of Wausau will laugh along - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.