In 1975 The Powderhorn Puppet Theater later to become In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater launched the first Mayday Procession and Event in Powderhorn Park. I worked with HOBT starting in 1985 touring to Sweden and Denmark. Previously I had done one of the first Drum Jams on Mayday in Powderhorn park in or around 1974 prior to HOBT.

Mentored by Bread and Puppet, HOBT became not only a hallmark national puppet company but a channel for social activism and social justice. And also setting a mark in artistic and community innovation across the USA attracting up to audiences of 20 to 30,000 attendees. I had probably worked on between 30 and 40 Mayday celebrations marching in the Parade with the Community Band and working as Cue Director for the Mayday Ceremony, along with most often featuring some of my ensembles premiering the MAROONS starting in the late 80’s. Later featuring Positive Vibrations, the Beau Koo Jacks, The Candlestyx, Cleo Patrix, guest artists and much more.

2019 was the final year Mayday was hosted by HOBT with minimal funding and also diminished in tone. So Mayday metamorphosed prior to the pandemic and became suddenly very slightly attended. HOBT changed hands with many artistic mentors stepping down and retiring their decades long devotion to Mayday.

Today the Twin Cities community has resurrected Mayday, not like what it once was but anew and determined to continue the awesome tradition of a Celebration of our local culture and the diversity and the embracing of all nations uniting as one community.