Don't Miss These April Fools Pranks (From Minn. And Beyond)
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Everyone loves a good laugh. April 1 is, of course, a day to be on the lookout for pranksters.
Docudramas and reality shows are the hot thing in TV, so the city of Ely wanted to cash in.
Not shy about having its day in the spotlight, the city has conveniently launched its new 24/7 Channel on April 1.
Tune into The Ely Channel for shows like "Iron Range Chef," "Real Housewives of St. Louis County" and the ever popular "DNR: Cold Case Unit."
"We decided to create a show based on the cases, the old cases and old unsolved mysteries that happened within the jurisdiction of the DNR," a press release said. "Things like fishing licenses expiring, overturned boats and people in the lake."
Of course it's a publicity ploy. The Northwood's destination pulls these pranks to boost tourism. Last year they announced a band of electronic devices at the Boundary Waters and a few years earlier the city made a bid for the 2016 Olympics. It'd be funded through a meat raffle.
Others use April 1 a day to boost business.
Dominos UK unveiled the Edibox. A delivery box made of pizza crust for a "waste-free dining experience."
They're not alone in their antics.
The University of Minnesota released a satire article warning of a new type of tendinitis known as "selfie elbow."
The release said that "young patients are pouring into our clinics complaining of elbow soreness that we've pinpointed to the rising selfie trend. We're calling it selfie elbow, and it can be fairly serious."
The Como Zoo got so many calls for "Mr. Lion," "Ella Fint" and "Mr. G. Raffe" they've set up special hotlines for pranksters.
Mr. Lion: 651-487-8266
Ms. Ella Fint: 651-487-8267
Mr. Wolf: 651-487-8268
Ms. Anna Conda: 651-487-8289
The St. Paul zoo said it received over 4,000 phone calls to the prank lines last year. By mid-afternoon, Mr. Lion's line received 1,200.
Callers who were pranked will receive instructions to redeem a special April Fool's Prankster package discount of $10 off an animal sponsorship. Admission to the zoo is free, and donations are appreciated.
April 1 has been a popular day for hoaxes since the medieval times.