There is a commit Florida that crafted a 12-foot-significant monument all through town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual want to accomplish that?
Properly, to start with, heroes are tough to exploration in just this commit Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, household of fewer than 500 persons for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to say the minimum? No one else puts the possum within the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, again in 1982, Wausau acquired Unwell and Sick and tired of being overlooked on the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Every single devote Florida requires a Competition. And never one particular spend Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have not gone to Washington County, you most likely will Feel I am thus, generating this up. In case you have long gone to Washington County, you are going to have an understanding of - and know this can be a accurate story.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some pretty effective possum politicians in early '80s. Here's two things they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the really initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led towards the developing from the monument read more along Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even acquired America Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable through giving the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a site to carry its once-a-year Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other things, the Competition draws in Many individuals every year, and they also like it.
Day out for a lot of educating of Northerners here. The South's possum would be the identical lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will execute?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its unattractive physique only at night. This is why, when you're throughout the correct commit Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It really is not so challenging capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription within the monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's role in furnishing 'each fur and food stuff' throughout the centuries. It goes onto say: 'Their existence here has presented an origin of nutritious and flavorful meals in regular periods and it's got been a big help to human survival in instances of distress and demanding require.'
Laugh if you prefer. The people of Wausau will chortle along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.