Unveiling the Quirky Side of Madison, Wisconsin: How It Became the Heart of Pranks!

Did you know that two former University of Wisconsin-Madison students have gone down in history for pulling off two epic pranks that are still celebrated today?

April Fool's Day Fails

Did you fall for any pranks on April Fool's Day? My kids put up a valiant effort to prank me, but failed.

My husband tried to get me, but failed.

The only April Fool's Day prank that I did fall for was from one of my favorite greenhouses in Oregon, Wisconsin. (how lame is that?!?)

This post completely inspired, then immediately destroyed my visions for a front yard re-do once I read through the comments...

(Dang! I really wanted to get some of those red and white hostas!)

Since we're on the subject of pranks, did you know that Madison, Wisconsin has a long history of pulling off brilliant pranks? Me either, until now.

👇 10 Places in Wisconsin That Have Strong Ties to Gangster History 👇

Madison, Wisconsin: The Prank Capital of the World?

If you do a quick google search about Madison, Wisconsin's prank history you will quickly discover that two men pulled off two epic pranks back in 1979 that are STILL a party of community celebrations today.

Most Famous Pranksters in Madison, Wisconsin

To truly understand what made these two Madison pranks so amazing, you need to know a little about the two men responsible for them.

According to to the University of Wisconsin-Madison website, in 1979 two students named Leon Varijan and James Mallon ran for Vice Present and President of the student government (calling themselves the Pail & Shovel party)  on a platform that promised to bring more "melarkey" to the college campus. (they were basically making fun of the entire student government process)

Obviously, the two men were elected, and to make good on their campaign promises they immediately got to work creating some epic campus parties, and even more epic pranks.

Prank #1 - Lake Mendota's Statue of Liberty

One of Varijan and Mallon's campaign promises was to bring the Statue of Liberty to Wisconsin, and that is exactly what they did using wood and papier-mâché and "submerging" her in Lake Mendota.

The above picture is not the original Lady Liberty created by Varijean and Mallon, because she has gone through some rough times in the last 46 years.

A PBS News article says;

Because the first Lady Liberty was destroyed by arson, another was made out of fireproof Styrofoam blocks in 1980. For some years after, it was stored in a barn about a half hour outside campus. In 1984, the parts were damaged by a deadly F5 tornado that tore a path of destruction through the town. After restoration attempts, the replica made a few more appearances through 2010, but time took its toll. The lady wouldn’t make her appearance on the lake again for nine years.

Prank #2 - The Plastic Flamingoes of Bascom Hall

In September of 1979 the Pail & Shovel Party decided to prank the Dean and create an unforgettable "welcome back students" display on the first day of the fall semester... with 1008 pink plastic flamingoes covering the lawn by the Dean's office.

If that sight isn't funny enough for you, here comes the best part...

Because of this prank, the pink plastic flamingo was named the official bird of Madison in 2009 and one of the "birds" has even been archived at the Wisconsin Historical Society. LOL!

Here are a few more fun things UW Madison is well known for...happy reading!