1. May Day has been celebrated in the Twin Cities since 1975.
In 1975, a group of activists and artists in Minneapolis organized the first May Day Parade and Festival. The event has become a beloved tradition in the Twin Cities, featuring puppets, music, and community art projects.

2. The May Day Parade has a different theme every year.
Each year, the May Day Parade and Festival has a different theme. Some past themes include "Imagine, Resist, Create," "We Are Here," and "In the Heart of the Beast." The themes reflect the parade's commitment to social justice and community engagement.

3. May Day has a long history as a worker's holiday.
May 1st, also known as International Workers' Day, has been celebrated as a worker's holiday since the late 19th century. The holiday originated in Europe and commemorates the Haymarket Massacre, a labor demonstration in Chicago in 1886 that turned deadly.

4. In the 1930s, the Communist Party organized May Day demonstrations in Minnesota.
During the Great Depression, the Communist Party organized large-scale May Day demonstrations in cities across the country, including Minneapolis and St. Paul. The demonstrations were a way to push for workers' rights and for greater government intervention in the economy.

5. May Day is also celebrated as a spring festival.
In addition to its political and labor associations, May 1st has long been celebrated as a spring festival. The holiday has ties to ancient pagan traditions, and is often associated with fertility, renewal, and the start of the growing season.