There is a commit Florida that built a 12-foot-superior monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person could like to do that?
Well, to get started with, heroes acquire effort and time to return by Within this devote Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, property of lower than five hundred folks for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero To place it mildly? Nobody else puts the possum in excess of a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, back again 1982, Wausau obtained Unwell and tired of becoming ignored in the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Just about every devote Florida requires a Competition. Instead of a person place in position Florida contains a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you most likely will think I am creating this up. When you have absent to Washington County, you can expect to recognize - and know This may be a accurate Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some fairly potent possum politicians in the course of the early '80s. Here's several matters they achieved:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the primary Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led to the constructing While using the monument along Point out Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.

They even got The usa Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by Possum removal Brighton the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may need a place to carry its once-a-year Fun Working day and Possum Competition. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, between other matters, the Competition draws in loads of folks every year, as well as they find it irresistible.
Day trip for some educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will carry out?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its unattractive body only during the night. That is why, while you are In the appropriate commit Florida, you may hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it's not hard to catch (or shoot) one.
An inscription around the monument all through Wausau cites the possum's part in giving 'both fur and foods' through the whole centuries. It goes to say: 'Their presence right here has offered an origin of nutritious and flavorful food items in usual periods and is made up of been an important assistance to human survival throughout situations of distress and critical need.'
Giggle should you'd like. The men and women of Wausau will snicker alongside - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.