PROCTOR – A week of festivities ended Saturday with the finale of the five-day Hoghead Festival in Proctor.
The 49th annual festival, which began Tuesday, celebrates the city’s railroad history. “Hoghead” is railroad slang for a railroad engineer.
This year’s festival looked almost a little different. In July, there were concerns that one of the main components would not take place. Festival organizers posted on social media that the parade would be canceled due to a lack of volunteers. However, local businesses stepped in to help and ensure the parade could take place. Keyboard Lounge owner Sara Nephew played a key role in the effort and was named the parade’s Grand Marshal.
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Setup for the parade took place at the South St. Louis County Fairgrounds, and dozens of floats paraded along Ninth Street, Second Avenue and Second Street.
In addition to the parade, Saturday’s program included a morning golf scramble at Proctor Golf Course, a pancake breakfast at Proctor City Hall, a plunge pool at the Keyboard Lounge, entertainment at local businesses and a fireworks display.
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Festival events during the week included a cribbage tournament at Moose Lodge 1302, a “Back to your Roots” gathering at Aspirus St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center, a pet parade in the Keyboard Lounge, and a screening of the movie “Wish” in the Proctor High School Auditorium.
For more information about the 2024 celebration, visit the Proctor Hoghead Festival Facebook page.
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson/Duluth Media Group
Dan Williamson joined the Duluth News Tribune in June 2021, where he is involved in digital content including video, photos and podcasts, as well as breaking news coverage. He previously worked in television as sports director/anchor at WDIO-TV in Duluth, sports director/anchor in Bismarck, ND, news and sports anchor at KSAX-TV in Alexandria, and reporter/photographer/editor at the syndicated show “Life to the Max” in Eden Prairie. He also served as director of development for the Salvation Army of Duluth. Williamson grew up in Alexandria, graduated from St. Cloud State University, and has lived in Duluth since 2012.
