There is a put set up Florida that built a 12-foot-superior monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody desire to do that?
Perfectly, to begin with, heroes are hard to obtain on this place in position Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, residence of underneath 500 folks in the heart of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to mention the the very least? Nobody else places the possum on a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, back in 1982, Wausau acquired Fed up with getting overlooked while in the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Just about every spend Florida demands a Pageant. And never 1 devote Florida includes a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you have not long gone to Washington County, you most likely will Feel I'm generating this up. In case you have frequented Washington County, you can understand - and know that is a legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it ended up, experienced some pretty highly effective possum politicians in early '80s. Here i will discuss two issues they accomplished:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Original Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the developing within the monument together State Possum Removal Cost Melbourne Highway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even received the United States Congress in selling the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by giving the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a site to carry its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other factors, the Pageant attracts A huge number of men and women Each individual and on a yearly basis, in addition they adore it.
Outing for many educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is equivalent lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can perform?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its hideous system only during the night. That is why, when you end up during the right commit Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', hence it can be not so tough capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription for that monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's part in furnishing 'each fur and foods' all over the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has offered a source of nutritious and flavorful food items in usual periods and has been a significant aid to human survival in instances of distress and demanding require.'
Chortle if you want. The folks of Wausau will chortle along with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.