McGregor’s history and charming 19th century buildings have long given the town a mysterious, even haunted air—one it’s been playing up each fall since the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce spearheaded the town’s first Halloween Parade in 2021.
Activities have grown in the years since, expanding from a parade to a full festival, as well as a month-long decorating contest, new spooky fundraiser and historical events.
“Halloween is just fun,” said volunteer members of the chamber-affiliated McGregor Halloween Committee. “It’s a time everyone can be a kid.”
Halloween Parade and Festival
The McGregor Halloween Parade and Festival highlights spooky season on Saturday, Oct. 24. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., traveling down Main Street to just past Triangle Park. Lineup begins at 9:30 a.m., behind the middle school.
Businesses, organizations, family or friend groups and individuals are all welcome to participate. Registration is not required, but appreciated. Contact the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce at mcgregormarquettechamber@gmail.com or 563-873-2186. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated float, vehicle and walking entries.
Following the parade, head to the Triangle Park area in downtown McGregor for the festival. Activities will run from approximately 10:45 a.m. to noon and include carnival games, sensory houses, face painting, a balloon artist, kids costume contest and dance performances. There will also be leaf piles perfect for jumping, photo ops and carriage rides, as well as wand and potion making at the nearby Left Bank Shop and Gallery.
Wander through the decorated downtown and enjoy specials at local businesses. That evening, the taverns will hold a Halloween costume contest for adults.
If a little one is in need of a costume for Halloween, stop by the Tiffany and Weller space in the Masonic Block at 136 Main St., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in October. Costumes can also be selected, or donated, by appointment by calling 563-880-1441.
Halloween/Fall Decorating Contest
Sign up for the Halloween/Fall Decorating Contest sponsored by the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce. The contest is open to any home or business in Marquette and McGregor, and there is no cost to participate. Decorate in the “Haunted Halloween” or “Pumpkin Patch” theme.
The decoration deadline is Sunday, Oct. 18. Winners in each category will be announced at the McGregor Halloween Parade and Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24. Winning entries will also be recognized on the “Discover McGregor-Marquette, Iowa” social media. Prizes will be awarded to the top home and business in each category.
To sign up, fill out the form at https://forms.gle/aZShrXJCq2nLkcVP6, email mcgregormarquettechamber@gmail.com, call the chamber at 563-873-2186 or stop at the chamber office at 146 Main St., in McGregor.
Even if you’re unable to participate or don’t live in Marquette or McGregor, consider visiting the communities to view the decorations. A highlight is McGregor’s Triangle Park, where paper lantern pumpkins are hanging from the trees.
Spook-a-Yard Fundraiser
New this year, the chamber is putting a spooky twist on Halloween with the Spook-a-Yard fundraiser. Instead of flamingos, send creepy dolls to surprise a friend or family member by taking over their yard for two days. Once someone has been spooked, they can choose to pass the Halloween fun along—or simply enjoy their creepy visitors. There is even “insurance” to assure the dolls don’t visit your yard.
The spooky fun continues through Oct. 28. People can sign up through a link on the chamber Facebook page or contact the chamber office.
All proceeds will support the McGregor–Marquette Chamber of Commerce and its community events.
Self-Guided Pleasant Grove Cemetery Walk
Throughout October, a self-guided tour welcomes visitors to learn more about some of the notable people laid to rest in McGregor’s Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Dozens of signs containing information, and often a photo, about the individual are placed next to gravestones throughout the cemetery.
Among those featured are sand artist Andrew Clemens, architect Elias White Hale Jacobs, and doctors Henry and Alice Clark, as well as politicians, veterans and early pioneers and business people. What buried stories will you unearth?
Secret McGregor Storytelling Night
Also new this year is a storytelling event called Secret McGregor. These evenings of chilling history, haunts and tales of the Pocket City and beyond will be held at the historic McGregor Community Center—the former Methodist Church—at 330 Ann St.
Through stories, historical information and photographs, learn about shocking murders, tragic fires and floods, cemetery lore, reported hauntings and UFO sightings and more.
Secret McGregor will be offered two nights: Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and again on Friday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.portsofdiscovery.com/chamber-events, as well as at the door. Light refreshments will be included. Proceeds will support the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce.
Other activities
The spooktacular fun doesn’t end there. Other upcoming activities include:
A trunk or Treat and Chili Cookoff sponsored by Bally’s Marquette in the parking lot under the bridge, next to the city park. The event will run from 5 to 7 p.m.
Paper Moon in McGregor will host an “Iowa Weird” book talk from 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16. The author will highlight a local story about “The Devil of McGregor.”
On Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m., bring your kayak, canoe or paddle board—and your best witchy costume—for a witches float from the Marquette Boat Landing to the McGregor Boat Landing. This is not a sponsored event, and participants are responsible for their own safety. By law, all are required to have a personal flotation device in the vessel—or make it part of your costume.
McGregor and Marquette will both have trick-or-treat hours the evening of Saturday, Oct. 31. Have a scary good time!
