DETROIT (WWJ) -- Thousands of people gathered in the Cass Corridor Sunday to chase an evil spirit out of Detroit.
Legend has it, the Nain Rouge (French for "red dwarf") is a legendary creature said to bring misfortune to the city.
Each spring, community members hold Marche du Nain Rouge, a parade a festival to taunt the spirit and push it out of the city. Many compare the festivities to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The parade stepped off from near Second and Canfield with singing, dancing in the streets, fire-blowing and thousands of themed costumes.
One parade attendee, Joe, told WWJ's Ingrid Kelley he was there to run evilness out of the city.
"We’re getting rid of, flushing out all the bad in Detroit. We’re getting rid of the devil," he said. "We’re going to chase him out and push him over to Canada."
Now in its 10th year as a Detroit rite of spring, one celebrator, Daniel Dugan called the Marche "one of the best things" the city has to offer.
"It’s just so ‘D-I-Y’ and everyone that’s involved is just really passionate about the city, I feel like,” he said.
The parade concluded at the Masonic Temple, with more celebrations, food and drinks. Bars and restaurants all across Midtown were offering themed specials throughout the day.