On Sunday, Detroit celebrated its annual Marche du Nain Rouge parade. Established in 2010, the tradition riffs on Detroit’s folkloric Nain Rouge, a mischievous imp said to be a harbinger of doom who, depending on who you ask, is either a devil who deserves to be driven out of town or simply a misunderstood benevolent spirit. Either way it’s a party, and everyone brings their own energy to the event — think of it as something like Mardi Gras with a quirky Motor City twist. Here’s everything we saw.

Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
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Credit: Joe Maroon
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Credit: Joe Maroon
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Credit: Joe Maroon
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Credit: Joe Maroon
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Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
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Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
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Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
The Nain Rouge The mischievous red imp is a part of Detroit folklore, blamed for bringing bad luck and chaos to the city. The story has become more prominent since the annual Marche du Nain Rouge parade started in 2010, now a yearly tradition for Detroiters. What to wear: A devilish, red costume with horns and a cape. How to act: Be mischievous, start fake trouble, and claim that you’ve “cursed” the party. Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon
Credit: Joe Maroon

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Leyland “Lee” DeVito is the editor in chief of Detroit Metro Times since 2016. His writing has also been published in CREEM, VICE, In These Times, and New City.