Funfair & Fairground April Fools Ideas

April Fools' Day offers a unique opportunity for funfairs and fairgrounds to engage with their audience through playful pranks and imaginative announcements. We Are Tricycle has plumbed the archives to uncover some fun April Fools case studies created by fairgrounds across the world. Perhaps they could inspire you at your next corporate event?

Edible Funfair Rides - Chocolate Caterpillar Coasters

Fantasy Island once claimed to transform 'Cuthbert the Caterpillar' into an edible, chocolate-covered funfair ride! The park declared, "Guests visiting the park today will be the first to experience the swinging adventure of Cuthbert the Caterpillar, whilst also taking a bite, or two." Paige Harris, head of marketing, added, "We’re really pleased to be the first theme park around the world to launch an edible ride. Plates and cutlery will be handed out to our guests today too, so they can enjoy our tasty caterpillar with absolute ease."

Funfair rides made out of chocolates might sound unusual, but consider how every supermarket has a caterpillar cake and the chocolate-coated Apple Roller Coaster might make more sense. Would you ride a chocolate roller coaster?

Ventura County Fairgrounds - A Believable Sale

Another memorable April Fools' tale came from Ventura County Fairgrounds, which was reportedly sold for $58 million. The joke backfired slightly as fair directors were bombarded with phone calls about the sale, highlighting how believable the hoax was. The faux news was inspired by a real governmental move to inventory public properties for potential sales, adding a layer of plausible reality that fooled many.

A Slide on the London Shard

Perhaps one of the most audacious pranks was reported by The Huffington Post, which claimed a Helter Skelter, dubbed 'The Shlide', was set to spiral around The Shard. Starting from the 72nd-floor viewing platform, the giant slide was said to plummet 244.3 metres to ground level, with riders reaching speeds of 75mph on mats designed with NASA technology to withstand immense friction. This fantastical and slightly terrifying concept captured the public’s imagination with its daring blend of architecture and amusement ride design.

Steal our April Fools Funfair Ideas!

We have our own ideas too - why not announce a new feature that allows guests to control the speed and direction of funfair rides and games using a special app. "Ever wanted to decide how fast the Ferris wheels go? Now's your chance! Download our app and take control. Disclaimer: Please keep all fairground side stalls and games in their default settings for maximum fun."

Or why not take Virtual Reality to another level? Instead of Simulators and high-octane fun, why not bring the fun of the theme park to the digital world with VR Queueing? Strap on a headset and experience the thrills of waiting in a line for yourself - it'll feel so real, it'll be like you're actually standing still and patiently waiting your turn!