McGregor-Marquette offer full line-up of events this weekend
The Great River Road - Road Race (GRRRR) 5K and 10K, held Saturday, Oct. 5, at Pikes Peak State Park, is one of multiple events happening in the McGregor-Marquette area this coming weekend. (Times-Register file photo)
From a walk/run and live raptor programs to an arts and crafts festival, flea market and book sale, Marquette and McGregor will offer a variety of fun activities this weekend.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, run or walk the Great River Road - Road Race (GRRRR) 5K and 10K at Pikes Peak State Park near McGregor.
GRRRR is a chip-timed event and open to both walkers and runners. The race will start at 8:30 a.m. Overall male and female 5K and 10K winners will be recognized along with top finishers in each age category.
New this year, the race is officially certified and santioned by USA Track and Field, meaning the course has been measured and meets USATF’s standards for safety, medical support and other race essentials.
All participants will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt, goody bag, after race refreshments and complimentary (un)traditional breakfast of pancakes with chicken gravy. (Don’t worry, syrup is available too.)
The pancake breakfast is also open to the public, with free will donations appreciated. Serving will be at the Pikes Peak State Park shelter from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Volunteers from the Turner Park: Fitness for All Ages Committee are organizing the breakfast, and proceeds will benefit improvements at McGregor’s Turner Park.
GRRRR proceeds will support the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce.
There’s still time to register for GRRRR at https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/McGregor/GRRRRGreatRiverRoadRoadRoadRace. Paper copies can be requested by emailing greatriverroadroadrace@gmail.com.
Also on Saturday, Oct. 5, the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre in Marquette, in partnership with Upper Iowa Audubon Society and Driftless Area Bird Conservation, will host HawkWatch. This event celebrates the magnificent fall migration of hundreds of thousands of raptors and other birds along the Mississippi River Flyway.
HawkWatch is a free event, designed to appeal to everyone, including families, amateur birders and raptor enthusiasts. HawkWatch activities will be held at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, located at 509 U.S. 18. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Live bird programs are among the highlights.
A schedule of events will be available at the Centre or online at www.driftlessareawetlandcentre.com. Please contact the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre at (563) 873-3537 with any questions.
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6, check out fine handcrafted arts and crafts, live music, wine samples, food and other cultural activities at the first weekend of the McGregor Fall Arts and Crafts Festival. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Turner Park, on the west edge of McGregor.
A second weekend of fun is planned for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12 and 13.
This weekend also marks the first of two weekends of flea markets “under the bridge” in Marquette. Find antique items, collectibles and crafts from a variety of vendors. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, and will continue Oct. 12 and 13.
Additionally, the McGregor Public Library kicks off its annual book sale on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to peruse over a thousand children’s books and adult fiction and non-fiction titles. The sale will conclude the following weekend, Oct. 12 and 13.
Follow the “Visit McGregor-Marquette, Iowa” Facebook page for a full line-up of upcoming activities and business promotions.
