There's a place set up Florida that developed a twelve-foot-high monument in the guts of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person really need to do that?
Nicely, to start out, heroes are difficult to seek out On this set in position Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland- Wausau, residence of fewer than 500 persons in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to say the least? No one else puts the possum with a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau got Weary of becoming disregarded within the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each devote Florida wants a Competition. Instead of 1 set set up Florida features a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not gone to Washington County, you probably will think I am earning this up. For those who have gone to Washington County, you will comprehend - and know this is a legitimate story.
Wausau, it wound up, had some fairly powerful possum politicians during the early '80s. Allow me to share a set of items they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the setting up With all the monument together State Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even acquired The usa Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by providing the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a spot to hold its yearly Exciting Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other matters, the Pageant attracts Many of us annually, and so they obtain it irresistible.
Outing for many educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unsightly human body only at night. That's why, once you find yourself from the suitable put in Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', thus it can be not so hard capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription to the monument in the guts of Wausau cites the possum's part in providing 'both equally fur and foods' throughout the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their check here existence in this article has offered a resource of nutritious and flavorful foods in usual times and has been an important support to human survival in occasions of distress and critical require.'
Giggle if you like. The men and women of Wausau will chortle with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.