What. A. Blast. The Marche du Nain Rouge was easily one of the most fun events I've been to in Detroit in recent memory. Due to a late brunch I missed the opening festivities at the Third Street Saloon but some friends and I picked up the marche along Cass and partied down with all the costumed revelers down to Cass Park. Folks were glittered up, painted up, wigged out, riding decorated bikes, dressed in drag, walking their costumed dogs (doxie in a grass skirt was my favorite) and marching to the sounds of the Detroit Party Marching Band to banish the red dwarf! Once at the park, people congregated around the stage and watched/cheered as the Nain got what he deserved--a banishment from Coleman Young, The Spirit of Detroit, and Cadillac from the Detroit city limits. Detroit is now free of negativity and bad luck for the next year. Huzzah! Celebrations continued with food from Slow's, Avalon, and beer from Detroit Beer Company while City Bird was on hand selling some great Nain memorabilia (I got a Nain shirt a few days prior and I love it so!). I saw a bunch of friends, made some new ones, and had a great time as people congregated around and showed each other some serious good will. Honestly one of the warmest receptions you could ask for. Great of all those midtown businesses to band together to support this fabulous new tradition. I hope it continues and keeps growing each year. We all need a little fun and positivity (and beer!) come spring time, yeah? Get outta here, Nain! Detroit is ready to party! read more

Last year (2010) was the first year of the Marche du Nain Rouge rebirth. Directly from the website: La Marche du Nain Rouge is an annual Detroit tradition that purportedly dates back to shortly after the city's founding by the French in 1701. Annually held on the Sunday closest to the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, it is parade and street theater similar in sensibility to Mardi Gras and other Carnival celebrations. However the impetus for La Marche is different. La Marche drives Le Nain Rouge (The Red Dwarf) out of Detroit, preventing its evil spirit from plaguing the people of the city for the rest of the year. By forcing Le Nain Rouge from the city (and into the spirit plane), Le Nain is banished, transforming Detroiters' fears and doubts into the hopes of new life and the coming Spring season. So. Much. Fun. The festivities begin behind the Third Street Saloon at Third and Forest. The best part? Third Street has a wonderful Bloody Mary bar. I was a Bloody Mary bar virgin, but quickly became a pro - head to the bar and pick your poison then head to the extensive bloody mary bar to concoct your perfect bloody mary. The bar is filled with all sorts of mixes, shrimp, pickles, celery, spices and more. Super fun and super delish. The parade begins with a brief history of the tradition and then proceeds down Cass Ave to Cass Park (across from the Masonic). The Detroit Party Marching Band is on hand and adds to the festivities. Once in Cass Park, there is a big ceremony and everyone ends up at the Temple Bar. I am being somewhat vague on purpose - so you can experience the fun on your own. BTW, lots of people brought their dog and/or kids - there was plenty of fun for everyone! My suggestion? Put it in your calendar and plan to go. It was a huge success and I am confident that each and every year will bring more and more merriment to the festivities. Already looking at this years event on the website, they have added lots more fun to include a ton of Midtown in the mix. read more

See all

What fun! Only in Detroit would a do-it-yourself type parade like this blossom into a full-fledged festival, complete with people-powered chariots, Venetian Mardi Gras masks and Detroit's own Red Dwarf. For the second year in a row, revelers chased the evil Nain Rouge out of town, guaranteeing another year of positive things for the city. All this hard work was followed by partying in Cass Park, complete with Detroit Brewing Company's Red Dwarf beer and Slow's pulled pork sandwiches. For a mere $2.00, I also indulged in Avelon Bakery's Red Dwarf red velvet Whoopie Pie. Yum! read more

See all

Hosted in midtown, this parade was phenomenal!!! So many electic masks, floats & costumes. This is easily one of the BEST detroit traditions I've been to! The jokes were hilarious & it was well-coordinated. The parade ends at masonic temple, where there is a fun speech to get rid of the Nain & then a family friendly dance party!! Highly recommend going next year!!! read more

See all

This event is fabulous! I could see this becoming the crazy Detroit version of Mardi Gras in the future. I could not believe some of the elaborate costumes! People went to great lengths to look as crazy possible. The walk through town was fun and the people-watching was some of the best I've ever experienced. Tip: Don't plan to eat or drink once you get to the park at the end of the route. There were way more people than vendors so the waits were terrible. We just walked back to one of the nearby bars and had a great time. Already looking forward to next year! read more

See all

We had a blast. I love that this is going on. What a great way to get out and celebrate Spring with your fellow Detroiters. It made my heart happy. See you next year. read more

See all

This was one of the best days of my life. It started with the first annual Run du Nain Rouge. As an avid racer, I was hesitant to join a 'first annual' race. This race went beyond my expectations. Great course, good mile markers, fun shirts, easy check in, and yummy snacks post race. High five to the Detroit Police Department for blocking the streets. Then came the parade. Creative costumes, beautiful drag queens, entertaining bands, and amazing personalities filled the streets. We marched, danced, and laughed. The evil Nain gave his intimidating speech on the steps of the Masonic. Then Devin Scillian sent the Nain packing and spoke of Detroit's grand future! To celebrate the Nain's vacation plans, there was after party underneath the Masonic. The DJs filled the historic dance floor with epic beats. When I looked at the clock I couldn't believe it was 3pm (on a Sunday no less) and I was dancing like there was no tomorrow. Detroit Brewing Company provided tasty beverages to accompany the party. I cannot wait for next year! read more

I was among the thousands of Metro Detroit denizens that helped to oust the Nain Rouge from Detroit on Sunday. No I didn't have a physical interaction with the little devil, but myself, a couple of friends and thousands of others banded together, marched down the street and tossed the vile creature out of the city. That's part of what makes this region great, fantastic local events that simply couldn't happen elsewhere. The Nain Rouge is very much a regional folk tale, people outside of Michigan have rarely heard of him. I've lived in Michigan most of my life, and until last March, I'd never heard of him. Over the course of the year I've done some research, written a couple of stories about a novel and a comic book released by Josef Bastian about the creature and decided that I just had to take part in the tradition of escorting the creature from the city. During this year's parade, a couple that had met at the parade in a previous year got engaged. The surprise engagement was worked into the story telling to help oust the evil spirit from the city and welcome in good tidings for another year. If you haven't checked out the parade before, it's definitely worth the time next year. What is the Nain Rouge? The name is French for "red dwarf" or "red gnome." The myth is thought to have it's origins in Normandy, but rose to infamy in Detroit before the city was even founded. The creature is said to be a "harbinger of doom," and appears to people prior to major disasters in the history of the city. The legend says the Nain Rouge was a protector of the lands that Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit was eventually founded on in 1701. The founder's, including Antoine de La Mothe Cadillac and 51 others allegedly were rude to creature and forcibly removed it from the confines of the fort. That sleight caused the creature to curse them all, and their descendents. The creature allegedly attacked Cadillac when it was being removed from the fort, that scene in a slightly altered version is depicted in the graphic novel. Appearance According to "documented sightings" the Nain Rouge is about the size of a child. It has red skin and is almost always wearing red or black boots and has been described as having "blazing" red eyes and rotten teeth. That is similar to how Bastian and illustrator Patrick McEvoy depict him in the graphic novel. Sightings in history Bastian said the character, which had been largely forgotten about until about five years ago, has popped up several times in the last 300 years. After being tossed out of Detroit in 1701, the creature didn't appear again until July 30, 1763, the night before the Battle of Bloody Run. During the battle 58 soldiers were killed by Native Americans. The creature was allegedly sighted dancing on the banks of the Detroit River, which ran red with blood for days following the battle. In 1805 the creature was sighted by several people in the days leading up to the fire that destroyed most of the city. Gen. William Huff filed a report about a "dwarf attack" just prior to surrendering during the War of 1812. In 1872 reports in the Detroit Free Press talk of a creature that had ""blood-red eyes, long teeth and rattling hoofs," that appeared to Jane Dacy, a resident who suddenly became bed-ridden. There were a handful of other reported sightings happening days or even hours prior to some of the worst events in the city's history. In 1967, the day before the famous 12th Street Riot the Nain Rouge is said to have appeared and again in 1976 when a pair of utility workers allegedly saw the creature just before a large ice and snow storm. Only one reported sighting has happened in the last 20 years, though the creature has remained a source of local folklore. read more

See all

This event has only gotten bigger and better in scope since its inception. Last year's parade was the most ambitious yet, and they nailed it. People really get into it and I have begun to see Carnival-esque costumes coming out to play, which is always a good time. The parade culminates in a dance party at the Masonic Temple. Tons of fun, not to be missed! read more

Detroit needs more of this. Great event. Thousands of people dressed like idiots in various shades of red, walking a mile and half through the better parts of the city. What's not to like? I have a few suggestions about how to improve it, but that can be saved for other days. My favorite part of the day was the troupe of working, life sized Franzia boxes magically appears to dispense free boxed wine. They were color coordinated. It was magic. There was also a 5K before the parade, but I can't find it on here. It was also well worth it. read more

a really good time. the march just brings the best out of everyone. the costumes are amazing. i love an excuse (besides halloweeen) to put on a costume. the entire march just felt like a great outdoor party. it ends at the masonic, where the nain is banished. the ceremony is fun and a great way to rally the troops for detroit. the after party at masonic was amazing. the dj was playing some amazing 80-90's dance hits that kept us moving. i will for sure return next year. oh, the 5k is really great too. a run through the cass corridor is worth it. very well organized event. also, the best tshirt i've got from a run. love, juston read more

best people watching...on earth. great people, great marching, memorable experience. read more

First one we been to, and have the date marked on the calendar for next year. Honestly had no idea what this event was going to be like. Planned on checking it out for an hour and go on. Stuck around for 3+ hours for the entire parade route, Nain's speech and after party. Think of 1000+ person Mardi Gras parade, street party and Halloween rolled into one ultra fun time. Dressing up is highly encouraged, anything from a simple goofy hat to an all out creative costume. Anyway, many thanks to the people who put the event on. read more

Loved, Loved, Loved it!!! I had a fantastic fun filled day. Got my 5k on, I felt amazing running down the Cass Corridor. The race was well organized. Plenty of police activity and volunteers. Red Velvet cupcakes greeted us at the end. Then the parade with all of the crazy revelers. Mardi Gras bands playing, people dressed in red or just something completely random, drinks a flowing, people laughing. I had an absolute blast. After Devin Scillian ousted the Nain it was off to the Masonic Temple for a dance party. I danced my little ass off. The DJ's were great, the beer was delish and I was completely exhausted by the end of the day. I can't wait until next year! read more