The theatre historically sponsored the annual May Day Parade and Ceremony that was seen by as many as 50,000 people each year.

In the next years, the event grew and evolved into a way to celebrate community builders.

[10] This ongoing effort also supports renovation of East Lake Street properties impacted by civil unrest during the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul.

[21] The event also featured a festival in Powderhorn Park and a Tree of Life Ceremony involving more than 300 performers.

Following that announcement, future May Day events or actions were independently produced by community groups, and not part of official HOBT programming.