If you can rule the hula hoop, croon Jimmy Buffet songs or get down low with the limbo stick, head to Friday Fest this week for a beach party! The second fest of six monthly events in Cloquet's Historic West End gets under way Friday, July 27, at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m.
The event will feature live cover music from 6 to 9 p.m. by Duluth band, "Spice," and at 7:30 p.m. attendees can participate in a Jimmy Buffet karaoke singing contest. There will be a hula hoop contest at 6:45 p.m. and a limbo contest at 7 p.m. Cloquet Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) members will also run a dunk tank and those attending will also find several vendors selling art, jewelry, cosmetics and energy drinks.
Parents should make sure kids bring swimsuits and towels for inflated Slip-n-Slide water fun. Other activities for kids include face painting and a treasure hunt to start at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn by First National Plaza on Avenue C. They can also marvel at a magic show to start at 7:30 p.m. with magician Kelvin Saline of Magic Village Shows in Duluth.
"There will be something for everyone," said Stephanie Wehr, one of the event's organizers.
Food and beverage vendors will include Oh My Mini Doughnuts, B&B Market and sandwiches to be sold as a fund raiser by CAHA. Cloquet VFW will sell beer in a confined area on Vine Street as part of the festivities.
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The first Friday Fest event, on June 27, was a rousing success, according to Wehr.
"I was so excited about the turnout," she said. "People were coming up to me and saying how much fun it was."
Hundreds of people attended the inaugural event, which went off without a hitch. That event's theme revolved around an "art crawl" and featured some 15 artists along with live music, food and beverages and kids activities.
Carol Risdon, who lives in the neighborhood, attended and enjoyed the first fest.
"I had some reservations initially, but it turned out to be a good time," she said.
As part of event planning, Cloquet City Council members authorized purchasing benches and ornamental trash receptacles for the West End district similar to those in other parts of the city. They have been ordered but have not yet arrived, according to Wehr.
Sponsors for this week's event include Edward Jones-Brett Loeb, Lambert's Truck & Auto Accessories, Broadway Espresso, Members Cooperative Credit Union, Kenneth Muckala C.P.A., McDonald Rental, Sign Pro, Cloquet Ford Chrysler, Pine Journal, Eclipse Paint & Design Studio, Underground Aquatics and Little Bo-Tique.
IF YOU GO
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WHAT: Friday Fest in Cloquet
WHEN: July 27, 6 to 9 p.m.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Activities will take place on Avenue C (unless otherwise noted) in Cloquet's Historic West End:
6 - 9 p.m. Live music by the band, "Spice"
6:15 p.m. Cloquet Majorettes
6:30 p.m. Treasure Hunt, on First National Plaza lawn
6:45 p.m. Hula Hoop contest
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7:00 p.m. Limbo contest
7:30 p.m. Magic Show with magician Kelvin Saline
of Magic Village Shows in Duluth
7:30 p.m. Jimmy Buffet Karaoke Singing Contest
