With summer winding down and back-to-school season just around the corner, the Heartland Recreation Commission is turning up the dial on community fun with a trio of lively events this September, and it’s shaping up to be one of MacGregor’s biggest weekends of the year.
“September is a big month, back to school, back to hockey, all that kind of stuff,” says Karla Gurke, Facility Manager and Recreation Director for Heartland Rec. “But that September 13th weekend is going to be a big one for us.”
After a bustling summer that saw strong turnouts at local day camps, particularly in August, the Heartland team is keeping the momentum going with fall activities going all weekend long.
Fall fest returns
A highlight of the weekend is the Fall Fest, which returns on Saturday, September 13, taking over Main Street once again after a successful run last year.
“The MacGregor Chamber has played with this event over the last couple of years. Previously, we had it at the rink, and then last year we shut down Main Street, and it went fantastically," she explains.
The family-friendly celebration will feature kids’ activities, a farmers’ market, live music, food booths, a car show, and a bustling beer garden.
"One of the most anticipated parts of the day is the Sample Supper. You buy a ticket, and we have different businesses from the Chamber that offer a sample portion of their dishes. So far, we’ve got pulled pork, steak bites, smoked Caesar salad, and many other sample portions,” she adds.
Ladies golf tournament
Also taking place on Saturday is the Ladies Fun Golf Tournament, which lives up to its name in every sense.
“You don’t need to be a golfer. You are going to be hitting balls, but every hole has at least one or two different activities to do.”
It’s less about the scorecard and more about the shared laughs, the missed swings, and the memorable moments.
“Did you put your ball in the bush? Did it land in the creek? It’s just about ladies going out and having fun. If you’re not a golfer, come anyway. You might surprise yourself and start golfing a little more," she notes.
A splash of colour
On Sunday, September 14, MacGregor goes bright and bold with the 2025 Colour Fun Run and Walk, a five-kilometre event open to all ages and fitness levels.
“It’s a 5K and you can run, walk, stroll, or whatever you want,” she says. “We’ve got five stations throughout town. One is a water station with water balloons, sprinklers, stuff like that, and then about 100 feet after, you get hit with powdered colour.”
The non-toxic powder creates a vibrant, photo-worthy experience that folks of all ages can’t get enough of.
“You end up being this beautiful coloured mess by the end of it,” she laughs. “Then we have an air blower afterwards to get the extra colour off. You take lots of selfies, it’s just about people and families having fun and being active for an hour.”
Though no advanced registration is required, a quick waiver is encouraged for insurance purposes. Participants can find the form online through Heartland Rec’s Facebook page or fill one out on the day of the run, which kicks off from the MacGregor Homestead Co-op Farm & Building Centre parking lot, right in the heart of town.
Live music and fireworks
Fall Fest’s entertainment lineup is also drawing plenty of buzz. Long-time locals Pat Sinnott and the Senior Jammers will take the stage at 4 p.m., followed by The New Fields at 6 p.m., and crowd favourite Hicktown closing the evening at 8 p.m.
“We’re very excited to have these bands, and of course, we’ll finish off the night with fireworks.”
With something for everyone, from high-energy fun runs and casual golf hijinks to mouthwatering eats and local tunes, the weekend is a perfect showcase of small-town spirit.
For more information about any of the upcoming events, you can email hrc@northnorfolk.ca or follow Heartland Rec on Facebook.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or just passing through, mark your calendars because September in MacGregor is looking bright, busy, and bursting with community pride.
~With files from Jared Thiessen
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com.
PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.