With the great weather today, residents throughout the Northland celebrated Independence Day with parades, festivals, and music. Over in Cloquet community members celebrated veterans, first responders, non-profit organizations, and families.

Several parade floats, local musicians, and people throwing candy felt the sense of patriotism. Therese Reynolds says this year’s fourth of July parade in Cloquet is extra special for her family.

“My granddaughter is in the parade. She’s on a float, and so we came to decorate it, and having such a good time. It’s so nice to see all the community out. It’s a great day. Beautiful weather can’t ask for more,” Reynolds said. “It’s just a patriotic time. It’s nice to see all the flags and people that really believe in our democracy. When I think of the Fourth of July, I think of our democracy, and I’m so proud to live in the United States. We’re so blessed to be here. We have such a wonderful democracy.”

The Cloquet Community Band also performed in the 4th of July parade. Becky Dooley loves playing with music for the community during Independence Day. She says it takes plenty of practice and teamwork to have a fantastic performance.

“Well, we practice every Monday night, and then to prepare for parades like this, for community events, concerts, nursing home. Wherever we get a request, if we’re able, we will play,” Dooley said. ‘Whether you’ve played recently or you’ve played years ago in high school, just come on out and play. We welcome each and every person.”

The Cloquet Fourth of July parade brings people from all over Minnesota. Allie Haus and her family come all the way up from the twin cities to see the parade. She says more people should come check it out next year to see all the creative floats and the Cloquet community members bonding together.

“We have a cabin on Chubb Lake, so we always come up for the Fourth. Love the fireworks, food’s great, glad the weather’s great, the parade’s a lot of fun. Yeah, the music was really great. The community band was a lot of fun to watch. I think overall they’re doing a great job. I don’t think anything needs to change. Just keep the same, get more people to come.”

For more details about the Cloquet 4th of July celebrations you can read more here. Also for more stories happening this 4th of July you can read more here.