There's a devote Florida that built a twelve-foot-substantial monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone could possibly like to do that?
Perfectly, to begin with, heroes are really hard to come by On this commit Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, residence of under 500 individuals in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you'll hope? Nobody else puts the possum around the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau obtained fed up with remaining left out from the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Every put in Florida wishes a festival. And not one particular commit Florida features a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you've got in no way attended Washington County, you probably will Feel I'm Consequently, generating this up. In case you have gone to Washington County, you may understand - and know This may be a true Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some very impressive possum politicians over the early '80s. Here's two things they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to the setting up through the monument alongside State Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even bought The us Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the exciting by way of supplying the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to support its once-a-year Exciting Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, between other points, the Pageant draws in lots of individuals Just about every and on a yearly basis, additionally they locate it irresistible.
Time out for many educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will accomplish?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and shows its unappealing overall body only in the evening. That's why, if you find yourself within the correct invest Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It'll be not complicated to capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription round the monument all through Wausau cites the possum's function in giving 'both equally fur and meals' through the total generations. It goes to say: 'Their presence listed here has delivered a source of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in typical situations and contains been an important enable to human survival throughout times of distress more info and demanding need.'
Chortle in case you'd favor. The people today of Wausau will chuckle along with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.