National Night Out events set for Tuesday

While National Night Out started in 1984 as a way to bring neighborhoods and local law enforcement together under positive circumstances, in Cloquet it’s about bringing the entire community and police together. Either way, the idea is the same: helping neighbors meet, improving relations and making an experience less traumatic when police and citizens meet under more urgent circumstances.

The Cloquet police department will hold its fifth annual National Night Out community event 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Veterans Park in Cloquet.

“This way we can bring everyone together as one,” said Cloquet police officer Laci Silgjord, who helps spearhead the now-annual event. “It’s nice to interact at a different level, versus responding to a call, a crash or an arrest. It gives our officers a physical and mental break so they can interact and enjoy the evening.”

Everything is free: food, activities including a petting zoo, games, face painting, bounce houses (for toddlers and older kids) and music by Whiskey Trail. Check out firetrucks and police cars, and mingle with members of the Carlton County Mounted Posse. Players from the Minnesota Wilderness are coming. Enjoy meeting officers from Cloquet and Fond du Lac police departments, the DNR, Minnesota State Patrol and even the National Guard, who are bringing their fabulous rock wall. Meet Vader, the Cloquet police department K-9, and Silgjord, her partner.

“I like being able to see everybody out as one community,” Silgjord said. “Our officers truly eat, sleep and breathe this city. We want people to know we’re here for them, whether we’re on duty or off duty.”

Cloquet isn’t the only place in Carlton County that will be celebrating Tuesday.

In Carlton, Carlton Community Education is hosting a National Night Out celebration with free food, lemonade and root beer floats 5:30-7 p.m. at the park across from the Carlton fire hall on Fourth Street North. Enjoy live music by Spencer Walton, plus fun activities like face painting, the Lake Superior Zoomobile, a bounce house and more. In case of rain, activities will move inside to the Four Seasons Sports Complex in Carlton.

In Moose Lake, the police and fire departments along with the Mercy Ambulance crew are hosting a fun night for the entire family 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Moose Lake City Park. There will be free food, activities, games, prizes and more.

In Esko the National Night Out celebration will kick off the Esko Fun Days festivities, and runs 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Northridge Park. The Esko fire department will have its jaws of life there, the Mounted Posse is coming and the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office will be there too. Come hang out, get your face painted, see the bubble show and peruse the many informational booths. Food will be available for purchase from the B&B food truck. First 50 attendees can get a free bike helmet. Hosted by Esko Community Ed.

Wrenshall residents are invited to celebrate their own version of National Night Out by attending the Community Night Out from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2 at City Hall, 400 Alcohol Road. Meet your neighbors, local firefighters and city councilors. Fun includes music, Wrenshall fire trucks and Carlton Countysquad car. Free hot dogs, chips and refreshments will be provided.