But nothing is as it was. Reportedly, there will be a parade, now led by the Southside Battle Train, which has apparently grown to eye-popping proportions (considering it is powered entirely by human muscles). But the Battle Train folks are anarchists, so it's hard to get a clear schedule out of them. Which as it should be, I guess.

Somebody, maybe Battle Train or maybe somebody else, has checked out the core giant puppets from the Heart of the Beast Puppet Library and plans to raise the Tree of Life (around 2? or 3? or whenever they get around to it?).

And Reverie Cafe is running some kind of block party, with an announced schedule that overlaps and overruns the vaguely telegraphed park festivities. 

It's a GORGEOUS day, so I'm just going to bike over there and try to catch the Battle Train in action this year instead of viewing it after it's parked. As far as I know, nobody in my social group is planning a lakeside picnic, although we have anchored that in the past. Nobody offered to help with it this year, and Richard and I decided we would rather be free to roam. If somebody decides to settle down in the usual location with a picnic basket we'll be happy to join you. 

HAPPY MAYDAY!!!  LET SPRING OFFICIALLY BEGIN!!!

I saw in the Strib that HOBT (Heart of the Beast Theater) is teetering on the verge of bankruptcy due to loss of some long-term grant money and devaluation of their theater building. If I read the article correctly, the entire staff, including the co-founder and director, has been laid off but are continuing to work as volunteers. They're trying to focus the resources they have left on 1) fulfilling ongoing commitments for community art projects in progress and 2) keeping Powderhorn May Day afloat.

I had stopped donating to them a few years ago (except for money in the bucket at May Day) because they simply would not understand that "anonymous donation" meant not pestering donors constantly for more money. But this is just too sad; I'll forgive them and give them another chance. They probably don't have enough staff left to make fund raising calls any more anyway. I just made a substantial donation online.  I hope those of you who have the means will do the same.