There is a dedicate Florida that crafted a 12-foot-large monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone could love to do that?
Very well, to start with, heroes take effort and time to investigation inside this put in position Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, household of below 500 persons in the midst of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No one else puts the possum over a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, back again 1982, Wausau acquired Unwell and tired of currently being disregarded with the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each individual area in Florida desires a Competition. And never a person devote Florida has a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've got never attended Washington County, you most likely will Feel I'm building this up. In case you have been to Washington County, you'll recognize - and know this is a true story.
Wausau, it ended up, experienced some fairly powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Listed here are two points they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the developing While using the monument alongside Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even got America Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the exciting by offering the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would've a location to maintain its once-a-year Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other points, the Pageant appeals to A huge number of folks on a more info yearly basis, and they also find it irresistible.
Outing for the few educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is comparable lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 is going to do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its hideous body only during the night time. That is why, if you're Within the right commit Florida, you may hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It truly is not tricky to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription around the monument in the guts of Wausau cites the possum's role in furnishing 'both fur and food stuff' through the complete centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their existence here has offered a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in typical times and possesses been A vital assist to human survival in occasions of distress and demanding have to have.'
Laugh should you'd want. The people today of Wausau will snicker along with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.