This year, the MayDay parade will be on May 6, 2012.
In The Heart of the Beast, a puppet theater based on Lake Street in the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis, organizes the annual parade.
The first MayDay Parade and Festival was in 1975, conceived as a gift to the community, and as a celebration of the end of winter.
The festival has grown to be one of the best loved events in the Twin Cities. Every season has a defining event: summer has the Aquatennial, fall has the Minnesota State Fair, winter has the Winter Carnival, and Spring has the Mayday Parade. Seeing the Mayday Parade is an essential experience of the Twin Cities.
The Mayday Parade is always the first Sunday in May. The parade begins at 1 p.m., followed by the Tree of Life celebration in Powderhorn Park at 3 p.m. and the festival in Powderhorn Park lasts all afternoon, until dusk.
Where is the Mayday Parade? What is the Parade Route?
The parade starts at Bloomington Avenue and 26th Street East in Minneapolis. The parade proceeds south along Bloomington Avenue to 34th Street East, then turns right, and it's one block to Powderhorn Park.
Parking can be difficult near the parade, and around Powderhorn Park, but there is plenty of street parking if you don't mind walking. Or, be considerate to local residents and take the bus, or ride your bike to the parade.
What Happens After the MayDay Parade?
The dancers, puppets, marchers and musicians in the parade have all arrived at Powderhorn Park by about 3 p.m., when the Tree of Life Ceremony begins. Drums, dancers, musicians and giant puppets tell the story of the parade, which culminates in the sun traveling across Powderhorn Lake to waken the sleeping Tree of Life and begin summer.
After the ceremony, a festival at Powderhorn Park continues all afternoon. There will be more music, dancing, poetry, and food, until dusk.
Getting to the MayDay Parade
The parade draws around 50,000 spectators and participants. Use public transit, bike, or walk to the parade if you can. Parking is extremely limited, there are very few parking ramps within walking distance to the Mayday Parade or to Powderhorn Park, just street parking.
Helping Out With the MayDay Parade
Creating, organizing, and cleaning up from such a large and popular event is no easy task. The MayDay parade wouldn't exist without hundreds of volunteers. You don't need artistic skills (although if you do, they will be put to good use) just the willingness to help out. In the Heart of the Beast runs workshops on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the weeks running up to the parade for volunteers to help make the puppets. No need to reserve a spot - just show up in your painting clothes!More volunteers are needed to help on the day of the parade, to set up, organize, clean up, direct the parade, and for many other essential tasks. Here's how to sign up to volunteer to help out.
Donations are also gratefully received - donate online, or in person on the day of the parade.
More information about the MayDay Parade and Festival at In the Heart of the Beast's Website
