West End flourishes, again

Despite gray clouds and cooler temps, locals of all ages turned out to enjoy the second West End Flourish event on Saturday.

There was a little bit of everything that day, with vendors, musicians and community organizations lining Avenue C to commune with the public, a car show on Avenue B and Vine Street, and kids' activities in Wentworth Park along with archery and mini golf in the city parking lot next door. Food trucks surrounded the VFW parking lot, and music filled the air.

Cloquet's most historic commercial area came to life for an afternoon, echoing the past when the West End was a vital and bustling part of the city's economy.

Organizer and Pine Knot News ad director Ivan Hohnstadt was thrilled with the growing popularity of the event, and some of the businesses that opened their doors for the occasion or set up shop on the sidewalk.

"It's just really nice to see all these people here enjoying our neighborhood," Hohnstadt said. "Wouldn't it be nice if some of them decided to start a business down here?"

Photos by Jana Peterson and Levi Nelson