Murder mystery event coming to McGregor
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
Iowa native and retired actor Gary Kroeger will bring his Murder Mystery Series to McGregor on Saturday, May 6. Hollywood Happenstance, a murder mystery event set in 1939, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Backwoods Event Center.
Attendees are welcome to dress in period clothing, as if they’re attending a movie premier. They’ll be tasked with solving the murder based on the clues and conversations they hear.
“[Kroeger] uses local theatre performers to help act out the scenes, so we’ve partnered with Cheri Moser from the Opera House Players to put together a group to work with him,” said Brandi Crozier, a member of the Friends of Determination Park group hosting the event.
Tickets must be purchased in advance on the site Eventbrite. Search for “Hollywood Happenstance: Murder Mystery Event in McGregor.” Tickets will also be on sale at McGregor City Hall beginning Thursday, April 13, and available until they sell out or Friday, April 28—whichever comes first. Attendance is capped at 50 people.
Admission includes the show as well as a meal and complimentary champagne.
Crozier is excited to offer something unique in McGregor.
“People who enjoy community theatre and improv will really enjoy this event,” she said.
Hollywood Happenstance is a fundraiser for the Friends of Determination Park, the city park in the Ridgewood West Subdivision.
“Neighbors have always looked after it, but now we’re reaching a new period where improvements need to be made,” Crozier said.
Plans include “sprucing up” Determination Park by weeding, cleaning up (or even removing) the park fence line and improving or removing the sand volleyball pit. The group is also fundraising to put in a half-court basketball court that can double as a pickleball court.
