In December of 2003, the mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, decided to allow individual religious groups to place displays on the lawn of city hall. Resident Scott Bonelli decied to place pink flamingos all over the lawn as well.

Bonelli ended up getting quite a bit of press over this, which is all documented with plenty of photos on his web site.

Some say Bonelli and his “Church of the Pink Flamingo” made a mockery of the religious groups who were erecting nativity scenes and menorrah. Others say it was covered by his right to free speech.

A few flamingos did get stolen, as well as Baby Jesus.

Then, lo and behold, some duckies arrived to hang out with the flamingos!

Photos copyright Scott Bonelli and used in this blog with his written permission. (Thanks, Scott!) It is illegal to copy these images without written permission of the owner.