There's a spend Florida that created a 12-foot-superior monument in the midst of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone desire to perform that?
Very well, to get started on, heroes just take effort and time to come back by On this place in Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, residence of under 500 individuals in the midst of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero to state the least? No one else places the possum on a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau bought Unwell and tired of currently being ignored with the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Just about every make investments Florida requires a Competition. Rather than a single commit Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you've got hardly ever attended Washington County, you most likely will Believe I'm making this up. For those who have frequented Washington County, you will recognize - and know this is a genuine Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some rather impressive possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are two factors they attained:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the making from your monument alongside Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained the United States Congress in marketing the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment via giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a place to support its annual Enjoyable Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other matters, the Competition draws in loads of folks each and on a yearly basis, and in order that they come across it irresistible.
Outing For most educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is the identical lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its unappealing entire body only in the evening. This is why, while you are inside the suitable put in position Florida, you may hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', for that reason it really is not so difficult capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription with the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's job in offering 'both of those fur and meals' all through the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has supplied a source of nutritious and flavorful food items in click here usual periods and it's got been An important aid to human survival when in distress and important need to have.'
Snicker If you prefer. The men and women of Wausau will snicker as well as you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.