Experience the magic of the holiday season at McGregor’s Festival of Trees
Experience the magical sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season at McGregor’s Festival of Trees. The 14th annual event includes activities across four days this year, from Wednesday, Nov. 29 to Saturday, Dec. 2. (Times-Register file photo)
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
Experience the magical sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season at McGregor’s Festival of Trees. The 14th annual event includes activities across four days this year, from Wednesday, Nov. 29 to Saturday, Dec. 2.
Back for the second year is the kickoff event, Christmas Trivia. Form your team and head to Old Man River Restaurant and Brewery to compete from 6 to 8 p.m.
Get a preview of the illuminated winter wonderland of 40 decorated Christmas trees at Dessert Among the Trees on Thursday, Nov. 30. The night will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Backwoods Event Center and feature specialty desserts as well as a choice of beverage and holiday music by MFL MarMac students.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (563) 873-1125, or visiting the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce office, The Left Bank Shop and Gallery, McGregor City Hall or McGregor Public Library. They will also be available at the door.
On Friday, Dec. 1, the trees—lovingly decorated by local individuals, organizations and businesses—will be on display at the Backwoods Event Center from noon to 8 p.m., with free will admission. Vote for your favorite in two categories: mostly handmade and mostly store bought. Many of the trees will also be available for silent auction.
Other Friday activities include a holiday craft sale and evening musical performance by Santa’s Combo, who will share jazzy Christmas tunes.
From 4 to 8 p.m., adults can enjoy the annual Spirits of Christmas pub crawl. A ticket entitles participants to a free, sample size holiday drink from seven McGregor establishments. Steve’s Silver Dollar, Jade’s River Queen, Pocket City Pub, Backwoods and Old Man River will have drinks available, as will two new spots: the McGregor American Legion and Big Buoys Tiki Bar.
“We’re excited to have seven bars,” said Anne Kruse, a Festival of Trees organizer. “We’ll also have T-shirts this year. We’ll sell them on site and get it out on Facebook for pre-orders.”
On Saturday, Dec. 2, view the decorated trees from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting and silent auction bidding will continue throughout the day, with winners announced at 8 p.m.
Saturday festivities will also feature a morning bake sale and holiday craft sale, along with a special holiday luncheon by Backwoods Bar and Grill. There will be free children’s crafts, including gingerbread house making, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 2 to 4 p.m. Kids can even write a letter to Santa and place it in a special mail box.
The Star Power Dance Team will kick off the slate of entertainment at 1 p.m. that day, and children from the Dr. Smith Center will perform at 4 p.m. During the dinner hour, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Lori Robertson-Frailey will play traditional Christmas music.
“It will just be instrumental, and people are welcome to sing along,” Kruse said.
Festival of Trees is co-sponsored by The Left Bank Shop and Gallery and McGregor Historical Museum. Kruse said a dedicated committee begins meeting in August to plan the event.
“We meet every other week from August until November, then every week,” she said.
Each member brings their own expertise to Festival of Trees, according to Kruse. For example, Ruth Ann Kneer’s graphic artistry designs the large event posters and trees tags, while Charlene Palucci handles music, Maureen Wild the gingerbread houses and LeAnn Watson and Beth Collins the other crafts. Bonnie Pruett takes the lead on Dessert Among the Trees, Bonnie Troester and Mindy Knight on baked goods and the bake sale, Mary Guritz on the 50/50 raffle and Jerry Kruse, Dave Kneer and Dale Crozier on sign placement and tree organization. Juanita Lang decorates the Backwoods facility and, with help from Knight, orders the garland that decorates the location and most of downtown McGregor. Backwoods owners Andy and Kari Waterman picked up the garland and, this year, John Pierce helped hang it.
“The city also puts a lot of effort into the lights in Triangle Park, and they keep adding to it. It’s like a light forest around all the cutout figurines,” said Kruse. “Between the garland, the park and the whole festival, people say McGregor looks like a Hallmark village.”
The community’s continued enjoyment of Festival Trees “makes all the work worth it,” added Kruse. “It’s neat to see the community come together. We can put aside the hardships of the past year with construction and come together for a happy event.”
Proceeds from Festival of Trees will be donated to four area non-profits: Dr. Smith Daycare, Quilts of Valor, the McGregor Historical Museum and children’s art instruction at the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts.
Find more info on the Festival of Trees Facebook page.
