April Fool’s Day Pranks Tailor-Made for Kentucky

During my morning routine during the last days of the college basketball season, I'll always flip on social media and check for updates from the analysts I follow. One college hoops site that I follow got me with a story about a well-known college player somehow being granted a SEVENTH year of eligibility. Even counting the COVID year, that's impossible. If you're not up on college basketball, my point is that I forgot what day it is and got got, if only for a moment.

Gone are the days of, "You're shoelaces are untied" and, really, any type of prank that can yield very serious consequences. It's a day about fun. Make the joke a good one, but keep it safe.

April Fool's Day Pranks

I got to wondering what kinds of April Fool's Day pranks that wouldn't go over so well with Kentuckians. I saw one earlier today, and I can find a source for it, I will at least provide the link. But it was an ESPN "breaking news" card indicating former Duke player, Christian Laettner, the guy Kentucky Wildcats' fans hate the most had been added to the staff at UK. It's clearly a gag, but it looked good, and that's the key. You gotta sell it.

Kentucky Hot Brown

There is nothing better than a perfectly-prepared Kentucky Hot Brown. The juicy turkey, the crispy bacon, and the cheesy Mornay sauce. Absolute nirvana. So when you order one, you don't want to hear, "Well, we're out of Mornay sauce, and all we can find is queso."

Kentucky Derby

One of America's most beloved traditions depends upon its iconic venue. Imagine, then, opening your favorite news site and seeing an announcement that Churchill Downs will be closed indefinitely, and that officials are looking for another location for the Run for the Roses. Then you quickly look at the calendar, smile, and go on with your day.

Toll Fee

This would be a great April Fool's Day prank on Kentuckians if it weren't for the fact these toll fee texts are a big scam. Rule this one out unless you just have THAT mean of a streak.

Mint Julep

My parents never drank unless it was Derby Day. Then Mom would whip up some mint juleps. (They were shockingly strong, by the way.)

What if you ordered one at a bar in Louisville, and the server tells you, "Well, we're out of bourbon; how's regular old whiskey?" That's when I'd take my regular old behind and go elsewhere.

Happy April Fool's Day. If you must prank, be safe about it, and, by all means, make it clever.