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
Santa and Mrs. Claus wrapped up the Santa's Home for the Holidays parade with a ride down Cloquet Avenue.
Northwoods Credit Union loan officer Alexis Woods got into the holiday spirit as a Christmas tree, as she and other Northwoods staff doled out candy during the parade Saturday. Photos by Dan Saletel / Pine Knot News
This Welsh Corgi seemed delighted to get its photo taken with Santa Saturday during the Rotary fundraiser event for pets at the Cloquet Animal Hospital. More than 30 cats and dogs, and one hedgehog, had photos taken with Santa.
Crafts and Christmas items from the past were popular at the Carlton County Historical Society building Saturday as hundreds of people went through its doors.
Rob Nelson (pictured) and Nelson Funeral Care won the Judge's Choice award for the brightly lit sauna and its occupants, who emerged in below freezing temperatures to stroll down Cloquet Avenue in their swim trunks whenever it got too warm inside.
Cloquet's Max Holznagel, 4, and scores of other children were super- excited to see Magic Bob (below) put on his magic show at Wood City Motors on Saturday afternoon.
The Cloquet Area Fire District parking lot was a good place to be warm and toast marshmallows before the parade Saturday.
As the days grow shorter, the Santa's Home for the Holidays celebration spread light and cheer last weekend. There were multiple Santa appearances, magic, meals, shopping, a parade, hot drinks, fireworks, s'mores and more fun spanning three days and multiple venues across the city of Cloquet.
The new "Pet photos with Santa" saw a good turnout, with only one overexcited doggie accident, no cat fights and one well-behaved hedgehog.
The annual Churchill Holiday Expo raised more than $10,000 for the elementary school and was attended by 1,159 adults and plenty of kids, including Boy Scout troops 168 and 171, who served breakfast and lunch at the annual event. The chili supper was a success, the magic shows were delightful.
Thousands turned out for the parade Saturday, and stayed for a spectacular fireworks show.
Cloquet mayor Roger Maki praised the event and organizers during Tuesday's city council meeting, wondering how they managed to order such mild weather.
"The feedback from the community was especially positive this year," added city administrator Tim Peterson. "It's rarely pretty unanimous on [the Cloquet Neighbors Facebook page], but this one seemed pretty unanimous that it was a great event."
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus agreed.
"We'll definitely be back next year," Santa said. "Ho, ho, ho and Merry Christmas!"
- Jana Peterson, Pine Knot News
