Marche du Nain Rouge 2018 – Detroit, Michigan
I’ve been fascinated by cultural oddities, creatures, cryptozoology and folklore my entire life. The Marche du Nain Rouge was so exciting to me on multiple levels even before attending for the first time this year–Detroiters being sarcastic and quirky, Halloween costumes in March, the positive message that Detroit can chase away all the bullshit thrown it’s way for another year! Southeast Michigan is where I lived most of my life, but I have only learned about this parade within the past few years and was inspired enough to do a painting of the Nain Rouge before ever attending. 2018 marks the 9th Marche du Nain Rouge, but the legend of the Red Dwarf dates back potentially but not officially on record to the 1700s. The Nain Rouge’s origin is a bit murky, but is most likely the combination of a local Native American god’s impish offspring and a hobgoblin familiar to the French settlers of Detroit. Since I’m no historian and I only have the interwebs and writing is not my main art–I implore you to read this article in the Metro Times by Lee Devito detailing the origins of the Nain Rouge–It’s more elaborate and interesting than the Wikipedia Page.
Present day the Marche represents a positive message. Detroit is scaring away the harbinger of doom, and in essence all the rest of the negativity commonly dumped upon it for another year! I had no idea what to expect, but was dazzled and amazed by the event and patrons! To be honest If this was a Halloween parade I think less people would have been dressed up. There was absolute variety and quirk to all the costumes and I’m kicking myself for not wearing a costume. Smurfs, ghostbusters, drag queens, geometric wolf heads, lots of horns, wigs, skulls, glitter, bumble bees, dressed up pooches, group costumes. The costumes were mostly all impressive and the entertainment before the parade was an excellent mix of music, cheesy stage performance, and retro fake news kitsch.
It was my first year at the Marche, but I’m assuming the “fake news” theme was mostly because of our current president. It’s a common sight that all Detroiters are familiar with–the stanky steam billowing out from the sewers. This vent decorated to look like a bedazzled and constantly sweating painfully orange blowhard doofus Trump was the first thing we saw and probably the most wonderful visual explanation of the humor and mood of the event. Just the fact that they made an orange and silver striped sequined covering before adorning it with a horrifying metal trump head just killed me. I really hope it’s still on that vent cover.
In the background of this photo you will see people partying on the roof top of Traffic Jam & Snug which upon hearing it was Michigan’s first brewpub after winning a legal battle I HAD to visit. People were throwing Mardi Gras beads off the roof and no one even had to show them their tits which was a good thing because it was FREEZING! We forewent following the parade down to the Masonic Temple for beer and food at Traffic Jam & Snug. Is that really lame? The first year I probably should have gotten the full Nain Rouge experience but there’s only so long I can go without craft beer and Michigan’s first brewpub was conveniently placed right there.
I wish I could say Traffic Jam and Snug had phenomenal beer and food, but just as the Michigan Craft Beer Enthusiast group on Facebook had forewarned it was horribly mediocre. It was an extremely unique historic building with intense charm and atmosphere but the beer was FLAT! The Amber Ale tasted like a Coffee Stout so I was really confused as to whether they swapped out beers without telling us or — ??? The food was better than the beer. Overall, I would recommend checking it out at least once and then hitting up some of the other local craft breweries. Next time we will definitely hit up Motor City Brewing Works instead. Also, I need to have beer in hand at the next parade even though open liquor is not allowed. I saw at least 10 people with beer in koozies or brown paper bags and barely any cops so I’d say it’s a must have. So now I’m prepared for next year as long as the weather holds up but I just need suggestions for next years Marche du Nain Rouge costume! Thanks for reading!
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