FEAST OF FOOLS WELCOMES YOU!

Or, where do all the grand gigglers gather on April 1st every year?

By Theolonius McTavish, a jocular jest-in-time journalist, and professional party tosser who never needs an excuse to dress up and act the part of a fool, fop or fonkin!

April Fools’ Day is one of those days that seems to be highly under-rated by the makers of guffaw-inspired greeting cards, mirth merchandisers and a host of party planners.

Being a Celt whose kissed more than a few Blarney stones in his day, I know a good party when I see one. And, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to celebrate April Fools’ Day in Canada’s capital of granola-gardeners and grinning gargoyles here in Victoria, B.C.

While the capital of British Columbia takes pride in counting its blooming blossoms every spring, (and reminding the rest of the country what they’re missing by not living in Lotusland), the City oddly enough does keep a few frivolous facts under wraps, perhaps for very good reason.

Visitors to Victoria probably aren’t even aware of a little known fact that the city is a vortex of vintage vixens (nearly three waggish women for every mild-mannered male), and that it is also home to a large covey of witty Wiccans, goddesses of giggle, not to mention Priestesses of Puckery.

Lest macho and metrosexual men of merriment feel left out of this festivity, there is no need to fret or be fit to be tied! April Fools’ Day attracts a diverse group of equal-opportunity fun and frolicking friends who love to get dressed up in foolish attire, tickle their funnybones, plus play with words, food, music as well as other odds and ends.

This year Victoria’s very own Creative Loafing Institute will be organizing a delightful “do-it-yourself drollery event in honor of the inner imp in everyone” (better known as the "FEAST OF FOOLS") at Ogden Point Café, (199 Dallas Road, near the Breakwater), from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 1st.

Fannie Fortunata, Coordinator of Cut-and-Paste at the Creative Loafing Institute, assures us that “this occasion will appeal to ‘fools who fall in love’, ‘fool-proof systems analysts’, and those who can’t resist rushing into places ‘where wise men never go and angels fear to tread.”

The Manager of Malapropisms & Merry-Meals at Ogden Point Café, “Dick Danger”, is putting on his best blinking bib and tucker and arranging a sassy spread for this entertaining evening of good cheer designed to whet the whistle and appetite of every finger-licking fop, flop, and fool in town!

This event is free! So haul out the most outrageous costume you can find in your closet, rummage around for some jolly jokes to exchange, or just bring along a sample or two of your creative contributions. The latter may include such things as doodles, drawings, loopy limericks, tacky tricks, mangled music, etc. to share with other muddleheaded munchkins on April Fools’ Day!

And should you ever doubt the wisdom of a day devoted to the humble fool in all us, never forget the words of Mark Twain, “Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.”

___________

The Creative Loafing Institute, is a fully-accredited addlepated amusement centre, (certified by the Ministry of Casual Lollygagging & Loopy Lifestyles), that will appeal to anyone who can do any of the following in no particular order: twiddle their thumbs, wiggle their ears, hum tiddly pum (or wink inconspicuously).

In case you're wondering, the fine fool who graces us with his appearance on this page is the witty work of Victoria, B.C. artist, Jack Cooper!

For those who aren't sure if they have a funnybone or have never consumed any foolish food for thought, perhaps they should get their hands on this crazy claymation comedy, "Feast of Fools".
And for those nincompoops and ninnyheads who need to brush up on their wacky wordpeckering before the event, why not take a peek at "The Foolish Dictionary Online".