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April Fools' Day in New York City has been marked by a "satirical spectacle" of "outrageous floats and unrelenting mockery" for forty years with the annual April Fools' Day Parade. Created in 1986 by artist Joey Skaggs, the parade will March along 5th Avenue from 59th Street to Washington Square Park starting at noon ET on Tuesday, April 1st.
“April Fools’ Day has always been a time to express our truest thoughts and feelings, wrapped in the guise of humor—just like the jesters of old who spoke truth to power," Skaggs, Chair of the New York April Fool’s Committee told Untapped New York, "I founded the New York City Annual April Fools’ Day Parade in 1986 when I realized that New York had parades for nearly every holiday, except the one that celebrates the freedom to say whatever we want, however we want, without fear of retribution."
Each year's parade has a theme, and this year's is "A Dozen Eggs." The "eggs" in question are political figures of both parties, from Donald Trump and Kamala Harris to Elon Musk and Joe Biden. Participants can pick their favorite fool and print out a mask of their face to wear during the festivities.
2024 Parade, Courtesy of The Joey Skaggs Archive
A King or Queen of Fools will be crowned at the end of the parade route in Washington Square Park. The honor recognizes the person "whose audacity, ignorance, or hypocrisy reigned supreme" this year.
"What makes this parade special is that it’s entirely unsponsored, beholden to no one," says Skaggs. "It’s a pure, unfiltered expression of the people—New Yorkers who always have something to say. The April Fools’ Day Parade Committee welcomes everyone’s creativity, and as always, the public will bring surprises. We can’t wait to see what unfolds.”
All are welcome to participate in the parade or watch and laugh from the sidelines, with costumes and masks or without. Those wishing to bring a float should note that it must be no wider than 10 feet and no longer than 30 feet and can be self-propelled, towed, pushed, or pulled. The Committee welcomes customized bicycles, tricycles, baby carriages, and helium balloons as well.
Courtesy of The Joey Skaggs Archive
"This year marks the parade’s 40th anniversary—an incredible milestone," Skaggs reflected. "It also coincides with the second coming of Donald J. Trump, and let’s face it, the world is only getting crazier. No matter where you stand politically, there’s plenty to laugh—or cry—about."
