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Who knew that blacksmithing and friendships could go hand in hand? A curious crowd of nearly 40 people turned out for Sunday's first Forging Friendships event at Spafford Park on Dunlap Island in Cloquet.

Donald Lokken helps kids forge their own projects.

Donald and Brian Lokken worked with 14 people to make projects to take home. Participants could choose to make a wall hook, bookmark, plant hanger, "S" hook, or a leaf. The Carlton County Historical Society gave away Stories of a Century: Cloquet Centennial Book of Reflections 1904-2004. They also engaged children by using a variety of blacksmith tongs to pick up a number of objects while they waited to smith projects.The next Forging Friendships event is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. Saturday, July 30 at Spafford Park.