‘Movies In The Park’ begins July 7 – Cloquet Pine Journal

CLOQUET — Cloquet residents can look forward to more than just the Fourth of July movie in the park. REACH’s Movies In The Park will kickoff Friday, July 7 at 9:05 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park with the Pixar Animation’s Studios movie “Inside Out.” 

The screening Friday will be the first of five free movies to be shown in Veterans Park over the summer. Movies will run through Sept. 15.

In addition to the film, movie-goers can learn about local resources from the Carlton County Drug Prevention Coalition, as well as get free blankets and free popcorn.

The series is the result of a Positive Community Norms Grant awarded to REACH in 2021 by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The grant is intended to provide communities, but especially teens, with positive opportunities and experiences to reduce teen alcohol use, according to the DHS website.

REACH’s Positive Community Norms Grant Coordinator Amy Louhela said the $920,000 grant is being used over the span of five years to “grow the positive that already exists” and “reduce substance misuse in communities.”

As the person in charge of the events, Louhela said she wanted Movies In The Park “to be a sustainable event for our community and something positive that happens in our community.”

Louhela said she encouraged people to bring blankets, beverages, and snacks. However, she emphasized that the screenings are still substance-free events.

In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be canceled and not rescheduled; updates can be found on

REACH’s website.

Jess Waldbillig graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a Bachelor of Arts in writing and communication in May 2023 and started with the Pine Journal in June 2023. She previously worked with the University of Minnesota Extension in Youth Development with 4-H. When she isn’t working she enjoys reading, hiking, exploring the region, and curating Spotify playlists.