There's a put in position Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-high monument in the course of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone could possibly like to do that?
Well, to begin, heroes are complicated to seek out On this set in position Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, residence of less than five hundred individuals in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you'll count on? Nobody else places the possum with a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, final 1982, Wausau acquired Unwell and Sick and tired of currently being neglected through the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Just about every spot in Florida wishes a Competition. And not a single commit Florida incorporates a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you probably will Feel I'm Hence, producing this up. Should you have frequented Washington County, you'll understand - and know this is the real story.
Wausau, it wound up, had some pretty impressive possum politicians from the early '80s. Here i will discuss a pair of matters they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led for the building While using the monument alongside State Highway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained America Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable as a result of providing the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a area to hold its yearly Exciting Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other matters, the Pageant attracts tons of people every year, and they also uncover it irresistible.
Time out For a lot of educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can perform?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unsightly overall body only during the night time. That is why, when you are in the appropriate devote Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It's going to be not hard to capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription with regard to the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's position in supplying 'both of those fur and foodstuff' through the entire hundreds of years. It Possum Control Melbourne goes on to say: 'Their presence listed here has delivered a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in typical situations and is made up of been a vital assistance to human survival all through times of distress and significant will need.'
Snicker if you're keen on. The people today of Wausau will snicker alongside - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.