There is a dedicate Florida that designed a 12-foot-substantial monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone desire to perform that?
Well, to start with, heroes are hard to have within this commit Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, property of much less than 500 people in the guts of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? Nobody else places the possum on the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, past 1982, Wausau got fed up with getting neglected within the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Each individual make investments Florida wants a Pageant. Instead of a single commit Florida incorporates a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have never ever frequented Washington County, you almost certainly will Believe I'm causeing this to become up. For those who have frequented Washington County, you may fully grasp - and know this can be a correct story.
Wausau, it turned out, had some quite powerful possum politicians in early '80s. Here i will discuss certain things they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the creating through the monument together Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even got the United States Congress Possum removal Glen iris to market place the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a region to hold its once-a-year Exciting Day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, between other factors, the festival attracts A huge number of folks annually, and they find it irresistible.
Time out for plenty of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum would be the equivalent lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unsightly entire body only during the night time. That's why, when you find yourself within the proper place in position Florida, you can hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so It will probably be not so complicated to hook (or shoot) just one.
An inscription around the monument throughout Wausau cites the possum's purpose in furnishing 'both of those fur and food stuff' through the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence right here has provided a supply of nutritious and flavorful food in usual occasions and contains been a vital aid to human survival all through times of distress and demanding need to have.'
Chuckle if you prefer. The individuals of Wausau will chortle along with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.