A roundup of April Fools’ Day pranks in Manitoba

The Winnipeg Goldeyes’ April Fools’ Day prank will become a reality for one day in July.

Several Winnipeg businesses and organizations are getting into the spirit of April Fools’ Day.

The annual, unofficial holiday embraced by cutups since the Middle Ages falls on April 1, giving folks a chance to pull practical jokes, pranks and hoaxes on the unsuspecting and gullible.

As per tradition, businesses throughout the province have gotten in on the fun this year, and CTV News has compiled some of the best.

The Manitoba Mosquitoes

The Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball club took to social media Wednesday morning, announcing they are rebranding as the Manitoba Mosquitoes.

“For decades, mosquitoes have terrorized Manitobans with elite speed, pinpoint accuracy, and an uncanny ability to show up exactly when you thought you were safe at home,” a news release from the team reads. “After extensive scouting, the Goldeyes concluded there was no more fitting symbol of summer dominance.”

While a permanent rebrand is not happening, the team confirmed the Goldeyes will rebrand as the Mosquitoes for a game on July 31 at Blue Cross Park, complete with special jerseys.

Ship and Plough graced by music legend

Gimli’s Ship and Plough bar posted a photo on Instagram showing Winnipeg music legend Burton Cummings playing piano in their venue for an impromptu show.

“Burton was in town to do a little ice fishing,” the post reads. “He was also spotted looking for huldufólk at Viking Park, and playing VLTs at the Oldie.”

The photo, though convincing, is captioned with the April Fools’ Day hashtag.

For Manitobans disappointed the gig was a hoax, Cummings will be on tour with Randy Bachman and the rest of The Guess Who this summer, including a performance in Winnipeg on June 5.

Honey dill sauce jacket

Local burger restaurant Nuburger announced they are paying tribute to an iconic Winnipeg dip.

The burger chain posted a photo saying they will release a new honey dill sauce jacket, filled with enough sauce for people to dip yam fries on the go.

Park Back Alleys

A local bowling alley and bar is trading bowling pins for beatdowns.

In an social media post, Park Alleys said they will remove their bowling lanes and replace them with a cage similar to the UFC.

“You can still enjoy live music, tasty food, cold drinks and warm neighborhood vibes, just now instead of boring 5-pin bowling, you can spectate or participate in brutal mixed martial arts fights,” the post reads.

The business was quick to note it was an April Fools’ prank.

New footwear for health-care workers in Manitoba

Even a member of the Manitoba government got in on the April Fools’ Day fun.

Uzoma Asagwara, Manitoba’s health, seniors and long-term care minister, posted on their Instagram Wednesday the province is introducing a new standard for footwear in the health-care field.

“Effective immediately, all health-care workers will be required to wear Crocs in one of five approved colours,” the post, which includes a photo of the health minister wearing teal Crocs, reads.

Asagwara’s post adds that Croc charms must be workplace-appropriate and may not exceed three per shoe, and sport mode will be mandatory during all shifts to ensure “maximum support and responsiveness.”