Detroit is about to host one of the weirdest, wildest, and honestly coolest parades in the entire country. If you have never heard of it, you are missing out on a truly unique Motor City tradition.
Detroit’s Strangest Parade Returns
It is called the Marche du Nain Rouge, and the whole point is to chase a mythical red demon out of Detroit. Yes, really.
The annual parade returns Sunday, March 22, and it is not your typical stand on the sidewalk and watch type of event. The people attending actually are the parade. Organizers encourage everyone to show up in costume, bang on washboards, build human powered floats, wear masks, or just get as creative and ridiculous as possible.
When and Where the Parade Starts
Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of Canfield and Second in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, where music kicks things off as the crowd gathers. The parade officially starts at 1 p.m., led by the Detroit by way of New Orleans Gabriel Brass Band. And yes, the infamous Nain Rouge is expected to make an appearance.
The bizarre celebration is rooted in one of Detroit’s oldest legends according to MLive. The Nain Rouge, which translates to Red Dwarf, is said to be a mischievous spirit blamed for bringing bad luck to the city.
The Legend of Detroit’s Nain Rouge
The story dates back to the 1700s, when Detroit founder Antoine Cadillac reportedly encountered a fortune teller who warned him about the creature. For years, Detroiters have symbolically banished the Nain Rouge during the parade to send bad energy packing…