There is a spot in Florida that created a twelve-foot-large monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person have to do that?
Nicely, initial off, heroes are tricky to have On this devote Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, house of underneath 500 folks in the midst of Washington County about ten 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 over the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau acquired sick and exhausted with currently being left out while in the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each put set up Florida demands a Pageant. And not one set in place Florida features a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have not gone to Washington County, you almost certainly will Believe I'm Consequently, generating this up. When you have visited Washington County, you'll recognize - and know This may be a true Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, had some really impressive possum politicians from the early '80s. Here are certain things they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Preliminary Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the setting up in the monument together Condition Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even acquired The us Congress in advertising the possum. Congress joined the fun via delivering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may need a place to keep its annual Pleasurable Working day and Possum Competition. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among the other factors, the Competition attracts Lots of individuals on a yearly basis, and so that they find it irresistible.
Day out for a few website educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is the same lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will carry out?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its unsightly body only during the night time. This is why, when you're throughout the suitable commit Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so it's not so difficult to capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription with the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's role in giving 'both equally fur and food items' through the hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has furnished a source of nutritious and flavorful food in normal occasions and has been a significant assist to human survival in situations of distress and demanding will need.'
Snicker if you prefer. The people today of Wausau will chuckle with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.