Santa may be heading to Duluth in mid-November for its holiday parade, but the jolly old elf has promised to come to Cloquet for three special days in December.

"There will be magic, marching, lots of shopping and even fireworks, along with plenty of opportunities to see the old elf in person," said co-organizer and Pine Knot News editor Jana Peterson.

The highlight of Santa's Home for the Holidays festivities will be the parade and fireworks on Dec. 3.

"We hope lots of people will decide to enter the parade this year and have fun with spectators from all over the county," Peterson said. The Pine Knot News was unanimously awarded organizing duties by the Cloquet City Council in October for a $5,000 stipend.

This year's events kick off Thursday, Dec. 1, with a police-sponsored chili feed from 4:30-7 p.m. at Our Redeemer Church.

Also coming Dec. 1 will be storytime with Santa and holiday crafts and cookies at the Cloquet Public Library from 4-6 p.m., and an evening of shopping and visiting in Cloquet's West End, also from 4-6 p.m.

On Friday, Dec. 2, Queen of Peace Catholic Church will again offer photos with Santa and dinner from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Holiday revelers will be able to enjoy spaghetti, holiday crafts and shopping, to go along with photos with Santa.

Saturday, Dec. 3 will feature nearly 12 hours of community fun.

Things get off to an early start at Churchill Elementary School with a pancake breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m., followed by the massive Holiday Expo and Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Other Dec. 3 highlights:

• Looking for more shopping, or a bite to eat? The folks at the Cloquet VFW are holding a bake sale, coney dinner and silent auction from 3-7 p.m.

• Families and the young at heart can find magic shows and Christmas cookies to decorate and eat at Wood City Motors along Minnesota Highway 33 between 1-4 p.m.

• People are invited to make their way to the fire station on Cloquet Avenue between 4-5 p.m. for S'mores and hot chocolate, with fire rings to cook on and Christmas carols sung by the Cloquet High School madrigals.

• The Santa's Home for the Holidays parade begins at 5 p.m., moving down Cloquet Avenue between 18th and Eighth streets.

Amber Nichols

• A fireworks show over downtown Cloquet and Veterans Park begins immediately following the parade.

Parade participants need to preregister for the parade; stop by the Pine Knot office at 122 Avenue C to pick up a form over the next couple weeks or email [email protected] (subject "Parade") and request an emailed form.