Embrace your inner fool! –Guest post by Kristen Oelschlagel I have always taken full advantage of the one day every year I can (without consequence) play a prank on my brothers or trick my parents: April Fool's Day. And as much as I hate to admit it, my mom has tricked me a few times too – like the year I ran screaming when she pulled out a fake rat caught in a trap from inside our fireplace. While the origins of April Fool's Day still remain a mystery, there is no lack of ways to celebrate it.

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Here are 10 foolish and fun things you can do for April Fool's Day, across Canada: Tip a Fool Gala. Saturday, April 5. Victoria, BC. This annual gala held by the Citizens' Counseling Centre focuses on fun and funds. Local celebrities will serve guests dinner while making fools of themselves to earn tips. The proceeds  go to support mental health initiatives in the community. April Fool's Day Parade. Tuesday, April 1. Calgary, AB. Produced  by Green Fools Theatre, the 24th annual April Fool's Day Parade encourages the fool to come out in everyone. You can show up in costume and participate in the parade. Afterwards, members of the Green Fools Theatre will be holding informal lessons of juggling, stilt walking and clown routines. Festival of Fools. Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, April 6. Winnipeg, MB. Trapezes, clowns, jugglers, and acrobats – the Festival of Fools has it all. Hosted on by the Winnipeg International Children's Festival, this the 14th year for the family event. There are lots of performances to watch as well as trapeze and circus workshops if you want to get in on the foolishness.

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April Fool's Comedy Show. Saturday, April 5. Parry Sound, ON. Celebrate April Fool's Day with a good laugh. Canadian comedians Jeff Paul, Nigel Grinstead and Rob Mailloux take to the stage in this April Fool's comedy show at the Knights Inn Event Centre. Tickets include the show and a buffet dinner! Ripley's Believe It or Not. Niagara Falls, ON. April Fool's Day is all about figuring out what's genuine and what's fake. Where better to do that than at Ripley's Believe It or Not? The museum is fun for the whole family and showcases over 800 mind-boggling exhibits, oddities and illusions. ComedyWorks Stand Up.Tuesday, April 1. Montreal, QC. If you want just the laughs and none of the pranks, Montreal ComedyWorks schedule their Stand Up Tuesday's comedy show on April Fool's Day. Every week there's a new showcase of comics; so if you've been there before don't worry. And even better, it's only $5 to watch the show! April Fool's "Whatever Nature Throws At Us" Hike. Saturday, March 29. Gatineau Park,QC. Are you an avid hiker, looking to get outdoors and active to celebrate April Fool's Day? This is the perfect event for you. The Alpine Club of Canada Ottawa Section offers this five-hour hike. But be prepared for whatever nature might bring, you could end up in hip waders or snowshoes. Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club. Thursday, April 3 to Saturday, April 5. Halifax, NS. While there might not be jesters anymore, we still have the modern equivalent: comedians. Don't have time to celebrate during the week? A show featuring Newfoundland comedian John Sheehan is sure to liven up your April Fool's weekend. Running of the Fools. Saturday, April 5. Upper Stewiacke, NS. Dig out your most foolish outfit and help others to see. This 5.5 or 10 km walk/run is in support of OneSight, a nonprofit organization that provides eye care to under-served communities worldwide. The cost to run like a fool is a donation to OneSight. April Fool's fun at The Rooms. Sunday, March 30. St. John's, NL. A great way to teach children the truth and tricks behind April Fool's Day. Take the kids to The Rooms, where they can make gags, like mini mice from yarn, and other foolish crafts. Not only will you learn about the history of April Fool's Day while you¹re there, but what April 1 means to the history of the province of Newfoundland. What's your most hilarious April Fool's moment? Share with us!