There's a put in position Florida that developed a twelve-foot-higher monument in the heart of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone would like to do that?
Perfectly, to start with, heroes are tricky to come by on this devote Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, property of less than 500 individuals in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? No person else puts the possum on the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau received fed up with staying ignored inside the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each dedicate Florida requirements a festival. Instead of just one devote Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you've got in no way visited Washington County, you most likely will Assume I am Therefore, creating this up. If you have attended Washington County, you will recognize - and know this can be a accurate story.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some really strong possum politicians in early '80s. Here's a couple of factors they achieved:


They persuaded here the Florida Legislature to proclaim the pretty initially Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to your setting up in the monument together State Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even bought The usa Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the fun by providing the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a place to assistance its annual Exciting Day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other points, the Pageant draws in Lots of individuals on a yearly basis, and so that they like it.
Day trip for lots of educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum may be the similar lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its unpleasant system only during the night. That is why, when you're Within the suitable spot in Florida, you'll be able to listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It's going to be quick to lure (or shoot) one.
An inscription to the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's part in offering 'both equally fur and food items' throughout the overall centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their existence right here has provided an origin of nutritious and flavorful meals in typical times and has been an essential aid to human survival in the course of periods of distress and demanding need to have.'
Giggle if you love. The individuals of Wausau will laugh along with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.