Just like George Washington, we here at Patch cannot tell a lie—so no need to sweat whether anything on the site Friday is an April Fools’ Day joke. 

But that’s not to say we can’t help you celebrate anyway with a little harmless fun. 

If you need some inspiration, Indian Prairie and its sister libraries have dozens of books on pranks and practical jokes. When it’s time to reel things back in, read the children’s book Little Miss Naughty and think about what you’ve done.

For prank ideas that are sweet instead of sour, Wilton Homewares has recipes on its blog for making cakes that look more like entrees than sugary delights. My favorite is the very believable-looking spaghetti and meatball cake.

If the kids are on spring break and you’re in the mood for a little drive, Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago is hosting an April Fools’ Adventure. The event includes practical jokes, as well as a “what’s wrong with this picture” type game where kids have to guess what doesn’t belong on an 1890s-era farm

The Great Unknowns have promised on their MySpace page to put on a rocking April Fools’ show at Q Sports Friday night. If the show ends up being more joke than jam session, hey, you’re already in a bar with beer and billiards. You can’t lose.