How to Get Flocked

It's hot out there! But is it tropical enough for a flock of flamingos?

This is the season when many local residents are waking up to find themselves “flocked,” as in, under cover of darkness, volunteers placed a group of bright pink plastic flamingos on their lawns. Fortunately, a sign reading “Midnight Madness” helps explain the phenomenon.

The annual Midnight Madness/Project Graduation is a drug- and alcohol-free graduation party for the Columbia High School senior class that runs from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. (graduation is June 18). The flamingos help raise money to defray costs of the approximately $35,000 event, according to a previous organizer. 

Other creative fundraisers for Midnight Madness include: Sales of Maplewoodopoly and South Orangeopoly — Monopoly-inspired board games — and merchandise bearing local zip codes. Other initiatives include the black-and-red bows and "Congratulations" signs that proliferate at the end of June.

Still, “You’ve been flocked” is probably the most visible of the initiatives. 

For $20, residents can have a flock of hot pink flamingos placed on a friend or neighbor’s lawn for a day. And for $20, the flamingo “team” of movers will remove the birds. “Flock insurance” to ensure that flocks are kept off your yard is available for $10.

While the birds are a cheery sight, a local senior said it best. "I've been waiting all year for the birds to come back. That means June and graduation are coming up fast."

For more info, contact CHSFlock@gmail.com.