There's a set in place Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-significant monument in the guts of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person desire to do that?
Properly, very first off, heroes are difficult to find With this area in Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland- Wausau, dwelling of much less than five hundred individuals in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? No person else places the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, previous 1982, Wausau obtained Ill and weary with getting disregarded in the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Each and every invest Florida wants a Competition. And never a single commit Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you've got never ever attended Washington County, you probably will think I'm creating this up. If you have attended Washington County, you can expect to realize - and know It's a legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, had some very powerful possum politicians noisy . '80s. Listed here are several points they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the building with the monument together State Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received The usa Congress in promoting the possum. Congress joined the exciting by supplying the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could possibly have a place to read more maintain its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amid other items, the festival attracts A lot of people each and every year, and so that they uncover it irresistible.
Time out for a few educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its hideous system only during the night. That is why, when you're in the proper devote Florida, you may hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it is effortless to hook (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription on the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's job in delivering 'both of those fur and meals' from the hundreds of years. It goes onto say: 'Their existence below has furnished a supply of nutritious and flavorful meals in regular occasions and it has been A necessary assist to human survival when in distress and critical have to have.'
Snicker If you'd like. The people today of Wausau will chuckle coupled with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.