Celebrate Detroit’s History with a March Through Cass Corridor

By: Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers | March 22, 2017
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Motorcycles, cosplay, and the Nain Rouge will be taking over Midtown Detroit this Sunday, March 26 for the annual Marche du Nain Rouge. The event, which has grown from 300 attendees in its first year to over 6,000 last year, is a celebration of Detroit and the takedown of the Nain Rouge.

The Nain Rouge is the legendary harbinger of doom and every year the Marche du Nain Rouge aims to defeat their old nemesis by overwhelming him with city pride. Festivities will begin at noon at the corner of Cass and Canfield, with the parade starting at 1 p.m. on Cass Avenue heading towards the Masonic Temple.

Clare Pfeiffer, one of the event’s organizers, says that the event is meant to bring Detroit together after a long winter and embrace the coming of spring. She also adds that the beauty of the event is that it is never the same from year to year and that’s what keeps it so lively.

Nain Rouge - Kate Sassak

Photo Credit: Kate Sassak

“At Marche du Nain Rouge, you are the parade. So whatever you and your friends wear is what the parade is,” said Pfeiffer. “We’ve added marching bands, drum lines, steel drums, Caribbean Mardi Gras costumes, crazy cars, funky bikes, and all kinds of fun and oddities to the parade.”

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Motorcycles are a huge part of the parade and many metro Detroit groups plan to decorate their bikes and cruise down Cass Avenue.

The Marche du Nain Rouge is also an event where cosplayers come out and show their most inventive outfits. Prizes will be awarded at the after parties inside the Masonic Temple for best costume.

The main event will take place this Sunday, but there will be events all week leading up to the parade, including the Mardi Gras styled “Krewes du Rouge” which starts at 8 p.m. on March 23 at Traffic Jam & Snug. In preparation for the Nain’s appearance at this year’s festivities, the Fete du Nain will be happening at local establishments all week leading up to the parade. Be sure to check out which local establishments will be helping the city build up its pride before the Nain shows up!

The Nain

Photo Credit: Kate Sassak

The post-parade celebration will continue at the Masonic Temple and will feature DJ Skeez and Sheefy McFly, along with food, drinks, a kids zone, and merchandise.

Pfeiffer says to expect even more Detroiters at this year’s festivities, and thinks this will be one of the biggest parades yet.

“Whatever the Nain is up to is going to be big, so we don’t think people will want to miss this,” said Pfeiffer.

Head down to Detroit this Sunday to help take down the Nain Rouge by showing off your Detroit pride. More details can be found on the event’s website and on their Facebook page.

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