Moose Lake and Cloquet plan a full day of July Fourth activities

With just a few days until Independence Day, area towns are gearing up for the holiday festivities with lots of family fun planned.

Moose Lake’s third annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration aims to provide “a safe, family-friendly environment in which to spend the day. There is a host of activities for everyone,” the Moose Lake Parks and Recreation Board website promises.

The Moose Lake parade will begin at 10 a.m. and run through downtown Moose Lake. The route will begin at Lakeshore Drive and run to Seventh Avenue. This year’s parade marshals are Curt and Natalie Frohrip. They were chosen “for their community support ... and love of the community,” said Lisa Cekalla, executive director of the Moose Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

Parade highlights include a flyover by the 148th Fighter Wing, area royalty and more than 50 area business floats.

Other highlights of the weekend include the Moose Lake Triathlon at Moose Lake City Park beginning at 8 a.m. and the Moose Paddle Canoe Expo on Moosehead Lake at 10 a.m., both held July 2.

The Cloquet parade will begin at 11 a.m. and run along Cloquet Avenue from 18th to Eighth streets. The parade will feature the Honor Guard, active military and emergency vehicles as well as area business floats, including the cast and crew of “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” who recently returned from the national community theater competition in Rochester, N.Y.

The Cloquet Fourth of July parade does not include grand marshals. If there is still any interest in having a float or other advertisement in the parade, the opportunity is still available.

“Anybody can show up,” said Lisa Karulak, event coordinator. “Just go down and get in line on Cloquet Avenue by 22nd Street.”

Parade line up begins at 10:30 a.m.

Highlights of the Cloquet festivities include the first-ever Sawdust 5K run at 8 a.m., four area bands playing in Veterans Park and demonstrations by local skateboarders who will be taking donations to build a skateboard park in town.

Despite this year’s lower number of volunteers and donations, Karulak said things are all falling into place now.

“There are only a few days left; there’s no time to add any more or do any more,” Karulak said. “It is what it is. We have everything we’ve planned for.”

The Moose Lake fireworks display will take place at dusk. The Cloquet fireworks are scheduled to begin at 10:10 p.m., after the outdoor showing of “Marmaduke” in Veterans Park.

For more information on the area Fourth of July festivities, visit Moose Lake’s www.oldfashioned4th.com, or call Cloquet’s Lisa Karulak at 218-390-3789.

Tags: moose lake, news, entertainment, cloquet, community