If you’ve driven through McGregor lately, you’ve probably noticed the usual hustle and bustle. It seems there’s always something happening in McGregor!
The Triangle Park brick street project continues to move forward. Construction materials and equipment currently fill much of the First Street parking lot. Community organizations are busy planning summer and fall events. And through it all, a group of local volunteers has been exploring a simple question: How can we create more opportunities for people to gather, connect and experience McGregor?
That question led community members to participate in this year’s Creative Places Accelerator through the Iowa Arts Council. Throughout the program, participants were exposed to creative placemaking projects from communities across Iowa. One common theme emerged: start small, test ideas, learn from what happens and build from there.
Rather than making large investments, McGregor’s group has chosen to experiment with a variety of smaller, low-risk projects to see what resonates with residents and visitors.
One of those experiments will take place on Saturday, July 18.
The day begins with the 24th annual Great River Car Show and Cruise, hosted by the McGregor Achievement Club. Due to construction, the event has been held in several different locations the last few years and will also be testing the First Street parking lot area near McGregor Municipal Utilities as part of this year’s event. Registration will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. The cruise departs at 2 p.m. and returns around 3:30 p.m. for awards.
Awards will be given for classic, antique (pre-1955), truck, special interest, muscle, sports car, import and late model. The mayors from Marquette and McGregor will select their favorite vehicles, and attendees will vote for the “People’s Choice.”
Also enjoy 1950s and 60s music and a food stand sponsored by the Dr. Smith Childcare Center, which will serve brats, hamburgers, chips, pop and water.
Then, beginning at 5 p.m., the space will transform into a first-ever Parking Lot Party that will feature live music from local band, Mama’s Worry, from 5 to 9 p.m., along with food, beverages and a chance to spend a summer evening with friends, family and visitors.
The inspiration for the event came from conversations during the Creative Places program. Participants learned how other communities are creating memorable experiences in unexpected places. One example was Burlington’s annual Old Couch Fest, where residents gather in a relaxed, creative atmosphere—often bringing in old couches and chairs—built around music and community rather than elaborate infrastructure.
McGregor’s organizers began asking a simple question: What would happen if we hosted a concert in that parking lot?
Rather than creating a traditional concert atmosphere, organizers hope attendees will help create a neighborhood block-party feel. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, area rugs, battery-operated lanterns, portable fans or other personal touches to create a small gathering space of their own. Think of it as creating your own little lawn chair “neighborhood” at the event. The goal is not perfection. The goal is to create a welcoming place to gather and enjoy the evening.
The event also serves another purpose. Community members have begun referring to the First Street parking lot as “McGregor’s Landing,” a working name that reflects a vision for the space as a flexible gathering place for community events. No long-term decisions have been made, and no investments are planned at this time.
Instead, organizers are intentionally using events like the Parking Lot Party to learn how people use the space and what improvements, if any, might make sense in the future.
Other events currently being explored for the area include:
- Fire Department Fish Fry - Aug. 15
- Renaissance Festival - Sept. 5
- Heavy Metal Playground - Oct. 3
- McGregor’s Fall Festival - Oct. 10
- Winterfest – January (tentative)
Each event provides an opportunity to learn, gather feedback and discover what works best for the community. In the end, the project is not really about the parking lot. It’s about creating multiple spaces where people can connect, share experiences and enjoy being part of McGregor.
And if these small experiments are successful, they may help reinforce something many residents already know: There’s always something happening in McGregor!
