What a nice tradition! I never heard of! In Austria we have only a saying for fun. 1st of April is a traditional day to make some pranks, and 1st of March is mentioned in this saying but there are no actions. So if a person would say, „Am erstn März bringt da Esel a Schüssele Sterz, aba am 1. April macht da Esel, was er will!“ this is just like an announcement, that there will be 1st of April in one month and the usual reaction would be: „Oh, we write the 1st of March already?“ I know this from Carinthia and do not know whether it is known anywhere else.