National Night Out is coming Tuesday

National Night Out is Tuesday, Aug. 6. Across the nation, neighborhoods and communities will host block parties, festivals, cookouts and various other community events with an emphasis on getting to know neighbors and local law enforcement.

Every group has its own way of celebrating, large and small. In Cloquet, close to a thousand people will converge on Veterans Park for food and fun 5-8 p.m. Tuesday. At the same time, residents in the Sunnyside-Erickson Acres neighborhood will gather from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Monroe Avenue cul-de-sachold for dessert and live music, BYOC (bring your own chair).

Expect a police presence at both events, in a happy way.

At Veterans Park, expect to see foot races featuring cops and kids racing each other, plus local firefighters (and their trucks), bouncies and other free activities.

"In my opinion, a lot of times community sees law enforcement and even local fire fighters in some of the worst moments that they have," said Dawn Zeleznikar, Cloquet NNO committee member. "This just puts them outside of those situations and interactions, and maybe helps build a bridge. The positive interaction is what we're after."

This is the second year the committee has spearheaded the larger community gathering in Cloquet. Zeleznikar said it's very much a collaborative effort, with local businesses donating some of the food items and other organizations bringing their own offerings on Tuesday.

The Cloquet Eagles club is a big sponsor of the event, along with Good Hope Church, Super One, Upper Lakes Food, plus the Cloquet and Fond du Lac police departments.

"This way, rather than working the event, the police can socialize with the community members who come down there," Zeleznikar said. To volunteer or get involved, email [email protected] or call Zeleznikar at 218-940-8202.

Meanwhile, 10 blocks north of the park, Zion Lutheran Church (1000 Washington Ave., Cloquet) will hold its own celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., serving (outdoors and indoors) hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, and root beer floats. There will be outdoor kids' games and guest musicians, including Preston LaTour at 5:30 p.m. and the Cloquet Community Band at 6 p.m. All are welcome, said Tom Anderson, National Night Out committee member at Zion.

Other communities and neighborhoods across the county will also be spending time together Tuesday, forgetting politics for a night to simply enjoy time together.

Other National Night Out community events on Tuesday, Aug. 6:

• Esko: 5:30-7 p.m. at the Athletic Complex on Canosia Road.

• Scanlon: 4-7 p.m. at the Scanlon Community Center.

• Carlton: 5:30-7 p.m. at DNR Park.

• Cromwell: 6-7:30 p.m. at the Cromwell park and pavilion.

• Kettle River: 5-7 p.m. at the Kettle River senior center.