In the fall of 1979, Madison was the site of the largest known migration of plastic flamingos in recorded history. On September 4, University of Wisconsin students and staff, trudged their way to class and were stunned to see that more than 1,000 plastic flamingos had descended upon the iconic Bascom Hill in the wee hours of the morning. A prank had been pulled and a legend born.
This prank turned tradition became so popular that in 2015, the Madison Common Council declared the plastic flamingo the official bird of the city of Madison. In 2018, the Forward Madison professional soccer club unveiled the bird as their official logo, and their fan club adopted the name of “The Flock.”
The two students who first called the birds to Madison (one student being future “Mystery Science Theater 3000” producer, Jim Mallon) never envisioned this prank would turn into university history. They were leaders from the “Pail and Shovel” party.
The party had instituted such programs buying toys for students to occupy themselves during the tedium of class registration, hosting a toga party for 10,000 people (“Animal House” star John Belushi called in to give his blessing to the event), and decorating the surface of a frozen Lake Mendota with a partial replica of the Statue of Liberty.
The flamingo prank lasted one morning, but the impact lives on. University of Wisconsin Foundation and Wisconsin Alumni Association recreates the scene on Bascom Hill every year as a fundraiser.
Students, residents and visitors can enjoy Fill the Hill each October, when 1,008 plastic flamingos will again cover Bascom Hill. And why 1,008? The original pranksters set their sights on having 1,000 flamingos, but they could only order them by the dozen. So, they ordered 84 dozen and the rest is history.
Visitors can find reminders of Madisons passion for plastic flamingos in places ranging from restaurants to gift shops. They can even see living flamingos at the Henry Vilas Zoo.
The flamingos flamboyant nature has made an influence on Madisons local art scene. Madison-based, Mexico City-born experimental artist Triangulador in collaboration with OhYa Studio created the striking “Flamingo Swirls” mural outside of Johnson Street Laundromat in the citys Capitol East neighborhood. The mural is a favorite for Instagramable moments (and is near some stellar restaurants and shops).
?? Flamingo Mural on East Johnson St. + Blount St. Painted by local artists @ohyastudio + @triangulad0r, this mural embodies the quirkiness of the city.
?? Madison Forward FC games Rain, snow, or shine, you cant miss the flamingos in the stands or on the players jerseys. Catch the last of the Fowards season before the flamingos fly the coop this Sat., Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
As part of a series of pranks, the group purchased 1,008 (You can only order by the dozen 12 x 84 = 1,008) pink lawn flamingos to set up on Bascom Hill for the first day of classes. And below is what students saw….
?? Fill the Hill An annual fundraiser by the Wisconsin Alumni Association that recreates the event on Bascom Hill. Pop over to campus today to see flamingos out in full force for UW-Madisons Homecoming fundraiser.
In 2009, the City of Madison declared the pink lawn flamingo as the official bird of the city. And in 2018, Forward Madison announced its official mascot would be the flamingo. But why?
The colorful nature of flamingos has influenced Madison’s local art scene. The remarkable “Flamingo Swirls” mural outside of Johnson Street Laundromat in the Capitol East neighborhood of the city was created by experimental artist Triangulador, a Madison resident who was born in Mexico City, in association with OhYa Studio. The muralwhich is close to some amazing eateries and retail establishmentsis a favorite for Instagrammable moments.
The flamingo prank lasted one morning, but the impact lives on. University of Wisconsin Foundation and Wisconsin Alumni Association recreates the scene on Bascom Hill every year as a fundraiser.
The plastic flamingo was named the official bird of the city of Madison by the Madison Common Council in 2015 due to the widespread popularity of this joke that turned tradition. The bird was unveiled as the official logo of the professional soccer team Forward Madison in 2018, and the fan club took on the name “The Flock.” “.
Fill the Hill is an annual event held in October that offers visitors, residents, and students the chance to see 1,008 plastic flamingos cover Bascom Hill. The original pranksters wanted 1,000 flamingos, but they could only order them by the dozen, so why 1,008? So, they ordered 84 dozen and the rest is history.
The party had implemented various initiatives, including purchasing toys to keep students occupied during the tedious process of registering for classes, organizing a toga party for 10,000 attendees (which received approval from John Belushi, star of “Animal House”), and erecting a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty on the frozen Lake Mendota.
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