For instance …
Milk bottle prank
One year a notice was posted in the local paper that the milk delivery company was fed up with not getting their bottles back. So they promised 20 Franks (the equivalent of $1) for each bottle they got back, and 40 Franks (about $2) if the bottles were washed.
On April Fools Day, a camera crew drove around town to report back on the call for action. The results were extraordinary to say the least. At nearly every house, one, two or three bottles were left on the doorstep, while quite a few homes displayed between twenty to thirty bottles. All as clean as a whistle.
A piece of cake
The following year a notice was placed in the paper that to celebrate the completion of the renovation a historic building, everyone who came to city hall would get a piece of cake at 12:00 p.m. The only requirement being, everyone had to bring their own plate.
Once again, the turnout was surprising. The following day, pictures were posted in the local newspaper, showing people of all ages lining up to be served, each with a plate in their hands.
Have a drink
And if you think the good citizens would have learned their lesson after that prank, you would be mistaken.
The following year residents of the town were notified that a new type of beer would be released. It was perfectly believable as there are no less than three breweries in town.
Everyone who wanted a taste of the new beer would be served between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. but had to bring their own glass, cup, or anything else that could hold liquid.
Beer lovers brought the town almost to a standstill. From far and wide residents showed up, accompanied by glasses, beakers and cups. A few very thirsty souls even brought a bucket!
Individual pranks
Then there are the private pranks. Messing with someone’s alarm clock, replacing sugar with salt, nailing someone slippers to the floor, putting flour in someone’s hair dryer, rearranging keys on a computer keyboard, replacing whiskey with strong tea and vodka with water, and the ever popular phone call to someone’s work that there is a home emergency.
I can only guess what the town has planned for its citizens this year.