Ghosts of Detroit's tumultuous past and the Detroit Party Marching Band will lead a crowd of 3,000 expected costumed marchers and chariots on a procession through the streets of the Cass Corridor on Sunday, March 24, from 1 to 7 p.m.
That's right, Detroiters. The Nain Rouge is back.
Festival organizers warned that "this year’s Marche will be even stronger in its efforts to rid Detroit of the Nain Rouge."
The Marche du Nain Rouge isn't just Detroit's best new tradition -- it's also, dare we say it, prophetic.
For those of you who missed last year's decadent day of costumed revelry through the streets of Midtown, Detroit's red devil led a crowd of 2,000 Detroiters to the Masonic Temple, where he unveiled a banner with a chilling message: "NAIN FOR EM."
Flash forward a year later. While the Nain hasn't been discussed as a candidate for emergency manager, Gov. Rick Snyder will surely appoint someone to run the city soon.
"I'm about to dismantle your democracy," the masked Nain told last year's crowd, "because too many of you don't care, don't vote and don't speak out."
While the fourth annual Nain Rouge Parade will certainly turn the taunts up another notch, last year's winding parade through the streets of Midtown will be supplemented by a pre-march Nain Rouge 5k run at 11 a.m. The run begins at the corner of Cass and Canfield and is presented by Tour de Troit. Advanced registration for the run is available through Friday, March 15.
The neighborhood march may begin with a healthy run, but it will end in a haze. Nain organizers said that they've worked with bars and party organizers to organize près la fête -- that is, after-hours revelry for those in the neighborhood. Parties so far: Haute to Death at the Temple Bar; Nothing Elegant at the Old Miami and a grand celebration in the Masonic Temple’s Fountain Ballroom.
Want to banish the Rouge from outside the city limits? The Detroit Bus Company will offer round-trip rides. The bus will have pick-up locations at Imperial in Ferndale and Gusoline Alley in Royal Oak.
The legend of the Nain, Detroit's red devil, began with the first description of the evil dwarf, which was given by Antoine Laumet de la Mothe Cadillac, the city's first settler. Since then, sightings of the supernatural being signals trouble ahead for Detroiters. This year, the signs are clear.
Be there on March 24, citizens. It's time to banish this red devil, once and for all. More at the Marche du Nain Rouge website.
Check out images of the red dwarf and his banishers at last year's Le Marche Du Nain Rouge:
