May Day Parade workshops to begin April 7-join the fun!

Beginning Saturday, Apr. 7 and ending Thursday, May 3, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT) transforms its theater space at 1500 East Lake Street into a giant community art studio where parade artists and hundreds of people create the amazing MayDay Parade puppets and floats.
Workshops will be held on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. The workshops are free and open to everyone (no reservations necessary).

Wear clothing that can be enhanced by paint. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. On Sunday, May 6, about 50,000 winter-weary spectators will gather for the 33rd Annual MayDay Parade and Festival—a spectacular promenade of giant puppets and floats, and a joyous spring ritual.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. at Bloomington Avenue and 26th Street in Minneapolis, goes south on Bloomington to 34th Street, then turns into Powderhorn Park (E. 34th St. and 15th Ave. S.,) for the Tree of Life Ceremony, an outdoor pageant. Immediately following the parade and ceremony,
the festival begins—featuring food, music and other entertainment—and continues until dusk.

As thousands of people join in to welcome the return of spring to Minnesota, volunteers will also be needed during the Parade and Festival at Powderhorn Park to serve as parade, ceremony, performance and vendor ushers, setup and cleanup crew members, stage managers, information booth and traffic directors.
For more information about the 2007 MayDay Festival and Parade, call 612-721-2535 or visit online at www.hobt.org.