The 20 signs of spring in Detroit

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 2:21 pm

Depending on who you ask, some might say Michigan has two seasons: winter and summer. Although the chance of snow can extend well into April here, there are certain things that just remind Detroiters that spring is near.

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Wikimedia Commons

First robin of spring

The robin is Michigan’s state bird for a reason, and seeing this red-chested beauty after a cold winter is pure joy.

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New Palace Bakery / Facebook

Fat Tuesday

If you think you’re showing up to New Palace bakery on Fat Tuesday to get paczki without standing in a lengthy line, you have another thing coming.

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The car wash to wash away all signs of winter from your car

Nothing like the sun to show you just how dirty your car actually is; spring cleaning is not just for the basement.

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Courtesy of Marche Du Nain Rouge

Marche Du Nain Rouge

New Orleans has Mardi Gras, and Detroit has Marche Du Nain Rouge. According to legend, the Nain is a red dwarf who is said to be a harbinger of doom. . Now, the Marche Du Nain Rouge parade has been a springtime event for nearly 15 years where revelers ward off the little creature.

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You see the winter coat and shorts-flip flops combo out while grocery shopping

When the weather hits 50 degrees, the toes can come out — we don’t make the rules.

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Joe Maroon

The Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade

As much as we enjoy partying at Old Shillelagh, nothing beats watching Corktown’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade. The Irish celebration has been a Detroit tradition for over 60 years. This year’s parade is slated for Sunday, March 12.

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Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons

Michigan and Michigan State Fans During March Madness

Basketball season is just another reason for Spartan and Wolverines fans to pledge their undying loyalty.

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Tony Webster / Flickr Creative Commons

Random mountain of hardened snow in a parking lot

The mound is really a grayish pile of slush and ice with loads of trash stuck in it. It likely won’t disappear until late spring.

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Opening Day

The Detroit Tigers Opening Day is basically a holiday in Detroit. Everyone participates whether they are baseball fans or not.

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The local ice cream shops open for the season

It might drop down to 20 degrees at night, but that’s not stopping anyone from enjoying a super-stacked cone from their favorite ice cream place.

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Marc Bruxelle/Shutterstock

The potholes resurface

The ability to safely dodge a pothole should be on Detroit’s driving test.

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MT File Photo

Hash Bash

Even though Michigan didn’t legalize cannabis until 2018, tokers have been celebrating weed for over 50 years in Ann Arbor at this springtime rally.

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Jay Jurma

Cinco De Mayo

If you haven’t caught on by now, Detroiters celebrate everything and everyone. Spending Cinco de Mayo in Southwest Detroit is deeper than some might think, it’s a real daylong cultural celebration.

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Courtesy of Eastern Market

The excitement for Eastern Market’s Flower Day

If there’s one thing many Detroiters don’t play about, it’s their curb appeal. Eastern Market Flower Day is the perfect spot to get all of the annuals, perennials, and everything else you need to have the best yard on the block.

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Noah Wulf/Wikimedia Commons

The way too early sighting of motorcycles, Corvettes, and any Dodge-made sports car

You can hear the roar of the engines return to the streets of Detroit. Just remember the Lodge freeway does, in fact, have a speed limit.

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Level Two / Facebook

The return of rooftop and day parties

Dancing the night away on a rooftop overlooking downtown Detroit? Yes, please.

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The urge to go to Belle Isle on the first 55 degree day

There is just something pleasant about cruising around Belle Isle on a sunny day.

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William Stuben / Flickr Creative Commons

You can still see the sun at 6 p.m.

The winter blues hit hard in Michigan, but there is no better cure than walking out of work and still seeing the sun.

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Mike Pfeiffer

Festival announcements

While Coachella, Rolling Loud, and Lollapalooza may be on the festival bucket list for most, Michiganders live for the lineup announcements for Movement, Charivari, Faster Horses, Electric Forest, and more.

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