parades - The Art of the Prank

March 20, 2023December 15, 2023

Join Us for the NYC 38th Annual April Fools’ Day Parade (2023)

NYC April Fools' Day Parade jester

The New York April Fools’ Committee Is Proud to Announce:
NEW YORK CITY’S 38th ANNUAL APRIL FOOLS’ DAY PARADE

“Count Down to Complete Idiocy”

New York’s irreverent April Fools’ Day Parade returns, poking fun at the past year’s displays of hype, hypocrisy, deceit, bigotry, and downright stupidity! For the 38th year, the public is invited to create outrageous floats and dress up as look-alikes in colorful costumes to reflect the folly of the nuttiest politicians, crooked corporate leaders, silly celebrities, and whoever else has been a total fool in the past year.

The public is encouraged to participate, in or out of costume, with or without floats. Floats should be no wider than 10 feet and no longer than 30 feet and can be self-propelled, towed, pushed or pulled. Customized bicycles, tricycles, baby carriages, and helium balloons are welcome.

The theme of the 2023 parade is “Countdown to Complete Idiocy”. Marchers will assemble at Fifth Ave and 59th St at 12 Noon, Saturday, April 1, and proceed downtown to Washington Square Park, site of a big party that will culminate with the climactic crowning of the King of Fools.

See previous parades covered by WNBC TV and Chinese TV.

This year, for the first time, the entire parade will be nationally televised live on Fox News. Color commentary will be provided by Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson with opinions only–no truth and no objectivity. A media and VIP grandstand will be located in front of Trump Tower at Fifth Ave and 57th St. The parade Grand Marshall this year is New York Representative George Santos dressed as Pinocchio. He’ll be followed by Ye (a.k.a. Kanye West) in his motorized golden chariot playing a re-mix of totalitarian national anthems on a pipe organ while unsellable Adidas sneakers are flung at the crowd. Then comes a drag show of newly woke M&M characters showing off their fashion re-branding. Continue reading “Join Us for the NYC 38th Annual April Fools’ Day Parade (2023)”

December 14, 2016December 15, 2023

Improv Everywhere: Random Parade Leader

From Charlie Todd of Improv Everywhere:

Random Parade Leader Wanted

Improv Everywhere: Random Parade

For our latest mission, a woman in a marching band uniform stands on the sidewalk with a sign that reads “Parade Leader Wanted.” When a stranger agrees to help out, a huge parade led by a marching band emerges from around the corner and follows him wherever he goes. The band plays “Jingle Bells” and is followed by a cast of characters that includes two yetis, Frosty the Snowman, and two guys holding giant flags that read “Random Parade.”

This mission was made possible by Caring Crowd, a crowd-funding platform where people come together to fund global health projects.

Enjoy the video first and then go behind the scenes with our mission report and photos.

December 5, 2016December 15, 2023

Sensitivity Training for Mummers

Philadelphia requests full spectrum satire…

Mummers seek inclusive tone after insensitive displays
by Errin Haines Whack
Associate Press
December 4, 2016

PHILADELPHIA (AP) “” Organizers of the Mummers Parade are hopeful that cultural education efforts will help the city’s annual New Year’s celebration be more respectful and inclusive following a string of racially and ethnically offensive displays.

The initiatives include sensitivity training sessions and online videos that explore issues such as cultural appropriation and privilege, sexual identity and the rules of satire. Mummers’ leaders also published an open letter last week condemning “expressions of hate and bigotry.”

“We want to make this open for more people,” said George Badey, a veteran member of the Fralinger String Band and chairman of Love the Mummers. “The parade needs to evolve and represent the full spectrum of Philadelphians.” Read the rest of this story here.

July 27, 2015December 15, 2023

Marching to the Beat of his Own Drum

This Heterosexual Pride Parade Could Not Have Failed Any Harder Than It Just Did
by Cavan Sieczkowski
The Huffington Post
July 27, 2015

Heterosexual Pride Parade

Heterosexuals apparently weren’t too prideful this weekend.

Blogger Anthony Rebello was the organizer behind the Heterosexual Parade at Seattle’s Capitol Hill on Saturday. Over 2,000 people were invited on Facebook to attend the event created “in the name of equality [and] equal rights … to celebrate our right to be heterosexual, and to encourage younger heterosexuals that they should be proud of their heterosexuality.”

While 169 responded “yes” to the event, just one person showed up, according to Seattle Gay Scene: Rebello. Photos of him marching with balloons and a cardboard sign reading “Straight Pride” were posted on Facebook over the weekend.

Read the rest of this article here

March 24, 2012December 15, 2023

NY April Fools’ Day Parade To Be Largest Yet!

From Joey Skaggs:

New York City’s 27th Annual April Fools Day Parade

Occupy Washington Square Park!

For three decades, New York City’s Annual April Fools’ Day Parade has offered the public an opportunity to express, in a comical way, its outrage against the foolishness of mankind. Thousands of participants in look-alike costumes with satirical floats creatively mock the thoughtless, corrupt and selfish acts of the past year.

Kicking off noon on Sunday, April 1, the parade marches down 5th Avenue from 59th Street to Washington Square Park where revelers party to demonstrate against new rules that restrict the First Amendment rights of performing artists in the park. It will end with the annual crowning of the King of Fools.

Spread the word!

Read the press release here.