MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - A flamboyance of plastic flamingos overtook Bascom Hill Friday morning as the annual homecoming tradition Fill the Hill returned.

Fill the Hill marks the largest day-of-giving during UW-Madison’s fall campaign. This is the 13th year of the event.

The tradition came about when the Pail and Shovel student political organization placed more than 1,000 plastic birds on the hill in 1979. University officials said paying homage to this tradition creates support for unifying alumni and friends.

Donations given during Fill the Hill allow UW-Madison to support its immediate needs, explained Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association’s Nicole Weir.

“We loving tying tradition into giving and supporting the university, and so being able to make a gift to any fund that you w

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