Every town has unique celebrations, but this upcoming one in Detroit is hands down one of the quirkiest in Michigan.

It’s called the Marche du Nain Rouge, an annual parade where residents gather to banish a troublemaking red dwarf from the city.

Today, The ’Gander’s Sophie Boudreau has everything you need to know about this weekend’s colorful, costume-filled event and the history behind it.

Michigan’s US Senators press Weather Service on lack of tornado watch (Michigan Advance): US Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters want answers from the National Weather Service over why no tornado watch was issued before the deadly March 6 storms. The senators asked for details on staffing, forecasting decisions, and potential improvements to prevent future loss of life.

Tesla, LG sign deal for battery plant in Lansing (Reuters): Tesla and LG Energy Solution are planning to build a $4.3 billion battery cell manufacturing facility in Lansing, with production expected to begin in 2027.

Michigan filmmaker wins Oscar (CBS News): Sam A. Davis gave a shout-out to his hometown of Potterville while accepting an Oscar for Live Action Short Film. His film “The Singers” was part of a rare tie at the Academy Awards, marking just the seventh tie in the show’s history.

The Nain Rouge greets and taunts the crowd before the Marche du Nain Rouge takes off through Detroit’s Midtown on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (USA Today Network)

By Sophie Boudreau

You’ve heard of Mardi Gras in New Orleans (and Mardi Gras in Michigan, for that matter), but did you know the Motor City hosts a totally original gathering every March? The Marche du Nain Rouge is a quirky and colorful event centered on a real Detroit legend: the Nain Rouge (the Red Dwarf himself), who is said to bring ill fortune to the city and must be banished.

If you’ve never participated before, 2026 is the perfect time to dress up in your finest (or weirdest) costume for a day of silly fun in the streets with your neighbors and friends.

Here’s what to know about the Marche du Nain Rouge 2026 in Detroit.

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A car is seen just peeking over the top of a huge snow drift in Munising in the UP on Tuesday morning, March 17, 2026 after a historic snow fall. Sue Dempsey, of Munising, finally got her driveway plowed out and took a drive around the UP town which is buried in snow. (USA Today Network)

❄️ Sending positive thoughts to everyone Up North, where more than 100,000 Michiganders remain without power as of this morning following historic snow storms. I also want to give a huge shoutout to all of the utility crews working around the clock right now to bring power back to affected areas.

💸 This funny billboard spotted by a Redditor in Detroit is part of a nationwide campaign calling out soaring ICE spending as Americans go without healthcare and other federal assistance.

🍿 You can stream Potterville native Sam A. Davis’ Oscar-winning short film, The Singers, right now on Netflix.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from Sophie Boudreau. It was edited by Brook Bolen.

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