There is a put in Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-superior monument in the heart of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual desire to do that?
Properly, to begin with, heroes are tricky to research with this particular put in position Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, dwelling of below five hundred individuals in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to mention the minimum? Nobody else places the possum over a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back in 1982, Wausau obtained Sick and tired of being neglected from the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Just about every put in position Florida demands a Competition. And never one commit Florida has a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you have not long gone to Washington County, you almost certainly will Feel I am making this up. In case you have been to Washington County, you will comprehend - and know that is a legitimate story.
Wausau, it wound up, had some pretty potent possum politicians in early '80s. Listed below are two factors they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Original Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the setting up from the monument along Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even bought America Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable by supplying the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have an area to guidance its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other factors, the festival draws in Countless people today annually, and so they adore it.
Day out for plenty of educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is the same lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use click here 7 letters when 6 can do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its unattractive body only during the night. That is why, once you find yourself within the proper dedicate Florida, you'll be able to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so it is effortless to capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription within the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's role in offering 'both of those fur and food' from the overall centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence listed here has presented a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in ordinary situations and incorporates been a substantial assist to human survival for the duration of occasions of distress and demanding need.'
Giggle for those who'd choose. The people of Wausau will chuckle with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.