May Day puppet parade and festival celebrates 35 years

MayDay Parade prep
One of several giant puppets used annually in In the Heart of the Beast's MayDay Parade and Festival watches over the puppet workshop. Puppets representing earth, water and air have been part of the event since it started in 1975.
MPR Photo/Suzanne Pekow

by Suzanne Pekow, Minnesota Public Radio

For the 35th year in a row, giant puppets will parade through the streets of south Minneapolis to celebrate the end of winter. In The Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre created the MayDay festival in 1975, just two weeks after the end of the Vietnam War.

The festival now includes the parade (starting at 1 p.m. at the corner of Bloomington Avenue and 26th St.), a "Tree of Life Ceremony" (at 3 p.m.) and an afternoon-long festival with music and food -- both in Powderhorn Park.

Minnesota Public Radio's Suzanne Pekow visited the puppet workshop to see what parade participants were creating and find out what the event means to the community after 35 years.

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.