Ready, set, celebrate!

Winter weather: check

Christmas lights: check

Big guy in a red hat: check

Even though the big guy is a Voyageur statue rather than a resident of the North Pole bearing gifts, never fear - Santa is coming home (to Cloquet) for the holidays.

The festivities kick off Wednesday, Nov. 29, with Elf Bingo for kids and a free chili feed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church from 4:30-7 p.m.

On Thursday, there is a gift and craft show at the Armory from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., along with a Holiday Open House with Santa at the new Pine Knot News office at 122 Avenue C. Kids and the young at heart are invited to come and take their photos with Santa - to be published in the paper later - and enjoy cookies and punch from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

The gift and craft show continues Friday (and Saturday) at the Armory, followed by Holidays on the Farm at the Carlton County Historical Society from 1-3 p.m. Friday and more free photos with Santa (by Alan Johnson photography), live children's holiday music, and crafts and dinner at Queen of Peace Church from 5-7 p.m. Cost is $8 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 3-12 and free for ages 2 or younger.

The County Seat Theater play "The Games Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays" runs Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday.

Saturday is the BIG day, when there are events all day long, a parade, and fireworks with an alumni hockey game to wrap things up in true Northland style.

Saturday starts with a Pancake breakfast at Churchill Elementary from 8:30-10:30 a.m., followed by a Cookie Walk and Country Store from 9-11 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. From 1-4 p.m. have fun at Cloquet Ford Chrysler and Members Cooperative Credit Union. Decorate a Christmas cookie and watch a magic show at the car dealership, then hop onto the trolley and head to MCCU, to visit live reindeer, Santa, hear stories with Mrs. Claus, get your face painted and more.

Warm up and make a s'more around a Cloquet Area Fire District fire pit starting at 4 p.m. in anticipation of the 5 p.m. Santa's Home for the Holidays Parade down Cloquet Avenue, followed immediately by fireworks.

Both major sponsors - Cloquet Ford Chrysler and MCCU - say they want families and residents to have fun things to do with the community that don't cost a lot of money.

"MCCU places great value on being a community partner and our employees enjoy events like this because it gives us a chance to interact with our members and area families," said MCCU Vice President Ryanne Battaglia, adding that their favorite part of the weekend is "seeing the excitement of the kids in our branch visiting with Santa, having their faces painted, and enjoying all of the other activities we have to offer."

Reneé Birman of Cloquet Ford Chrysler agreed.

And, she confessed, the kids are actually the best part.

"The joy and genuine laughter that children express is contagious!" Birman said.