MayDay Parade and Festival

Are the giant, colorful heads that march down Bloomington Avenue for the MayDay Parade the stuff of whimsical dream, or nightmares? Regardless of how you feel about the impressive papier mâché creations, these puppets and other colorful creatures have as much to celebrate now that it's sunny as us commoners do. The MayDay Parade and Festival had humble beginnings, starting in 1975 as a 60-person celebration of the end of the Vietnam War, theater and arts in the Powderhorn community, and the end of winter. Rather than become a vendor-heavy event with a Budweiser-sponsored music stage, the MayDay Parade has remained true to its original celebration, staying low-key and community-oriented with the help of In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre and local sponsorship by businesses like Peace Coffee and the Seward Co-op. The festival kicks off with a parade and the yearly Tree of Life Ceremony, and performances and events continue afterward on four stages with local musicians, spoken word artists, drum circles, dance, and theater. Food and canoe rides will also be available. The parade begins at 1 p.m. and travels down Bloomington Avenue starting at 25th Street, eventually turning down 34th Street, ending at Powderhorn Park. Festival starts as parade finishes and runs until dusk. For more info call 612.721.2535 or visit hobt.accelhost.com/mayday.
Sun., May 4, 2-8 p.m., 2008