Every city has its own traditions, and Detroit likes to rock out hard. There are celebrations and festivals all year round -- the first International Auto Show in Cobo Hall, runs on Belle Isle on New Year's Eve in the bitter cold, and the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning before the Thanksgiving Parade are old favorites, but there are smaller traditions growing, as well as trendsetting music festivals.
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| DEMF Logo 2012 |
To exemplify the big, the weird, and the communal, I have picked three Detroit celebrations. Firstly, the DEMF or Movement. Detroit Electronic Music Festival is every Memorial Day weekend (3rd weekend in May) and takes over Hart Plaza in the heart of Downtown Detroit on the riverfront. This festival started in 2000 and is a celebration of techno and electronic music in the birthplace of it all: Detroit. People from around the nation, and even the world come to hear the latest DJs and electronic masterminds spin and create. {Picture: DEMF Logo]
A completely different celebration, and entirely local movement, is the Marche du Nain Rouge. An event hailing back to when Detroit was still a French colony, locals dress in red and various costumes and create a ruckus to drive out du Nain Rouge (the Red Dwarf). It is held annually on the Saturday closest to the Vernal/Spring Equinox. A laid back and highly localized festival, the Marche brings people in costumes of devils, saints and natural elements. The goal: To banish the red-tinged, evil spirit that, according to legend, has haunted and troubled Detroit for three centuries. You can make your own effigy with your positive goals for Detroit:
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| Make your own Nain Rouge effigy! |
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| Photo Credit: Metromix 2011 |
Thirdly, and the last for this post, the Dally in the Alley is an example of neighborhood building that grows in popularity each year, and brings neighbors out to create a more unified city. This festival is simple but it creates a space of safety, creativity, and neighborliness that is crucial for residents. It is a block party - the neighborly tradition in cities and towns across America. A small, FREE celebration with arts, music, food, beer and fun, it brings crowds of people that are new and old to the city. It's a great way to meet people and see the inside story of the city. [Picture: Dally 2011, credit Metromix}
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| Dally in the Alley Poster |
The Dally is held around Labor Day, in early Fall/September, each year, and always holds the promise of new friends with old neighbors.
When you get Detroit, you get the quiet parties in backyards, the loud festivals in public spaces, and the ridiculous traditions in side streets. You also get the tech, the auto, the art, and the music, and the beauty of tradition. When you're here, you become part of the Detroit community, the family, the small town feel in a big city place.
Come party with us.
Sincerely,
Kaity Nicastri,
Detroit Lover
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