A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
More than 350 people attended Saturday's Blue Jean Ball at the Black Bear Casino Resort, an annual event that raises money to support the Cloquet Educational Foundation and its many grants to schools and Cloquet graduates.
Cloquet Educational Foundation board member Laura Hansen celebrates with Katie Bailey, who won the contents of the Treasure Chest by having the correct key to unlock it.
After taking a pandemic pause last year, the Blue Jean Ball returned Saturday to rave reviews.
The annual Community Educational Foundation fundraiser was modified for the times, of course. People wore masks walking around, but didn't have to wear masks when eating and drinking at the table. And the elaborately decorated tables were a little more spread out.
But the spirit of the event was the same.
"We didn't want anyone to think we weren't taking the virus seriously, and we were ready to turn on a dime, said Jody Acers, CEF executive director. "But we also knew people were craving this night out, you could tell, it was just a really good vibe. Even our sponsors were just so ready to say yes."
As of Wednesday, Acers didn't have a solid count on funds raised to support the CEF mission of promoting academic, artistic, athletic, cultural and social growth for Cloquet children and youth from infancy through high school. She estimated that more than 350 people attended, down from the usual 400 or so. That was a result of reducing the number of tables to create more space, Acers said.
Although there were plenty of worries leading up to Saturday's event, Acers said the evening went off without a hitch.
"It was really a fun night for everybody," she said.
