The McGregor City Council on Aug. 22 approved a request from McGregor Events to hold an Oktoberfest celebration in Legacy Park, subject to event-authorization requirements and staff approvals.

Eddie Hale, president of McGregor Events, told the council the nonprofit plans a free, family-friendly event with music, vendors and beer served by Franklin Breweries. "We don't wanna get back to where it was in the fifties, but we do wanna get it back into the eighties," Hale said, describing the group's goal of revitalizing downtown.

Hale outlined operational plans: the group will request four rolling dumpsters from the city, provide extra trash cans, close the alleyway on Fourth Street by Mactown through to the EMS building and close the intersection at Fourth and Madison. He said the event would include a bounce house, two outside vendors (a Waco-based "dirty soda" vendor and a traveling Doctor Pepper trailer if available), and that no outside coolers or outside drinks will be allowed. Hale said the brewery will offer nonalcoholic options and that organizers will provide free water paid for by "McGregor Vince." He described music running from 6 to 9 p.m. and the event itself from 5 to 10 p.m.

City staff told council that event authorization will set limits such as whether alcohol is present, required security and how long the event may run. Cassie said approvals would be handled at City Hall and that designated staff or department heads could approve routine requests.

The agenda listed the event as Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, but a motion recorded on the floor approved "the Oktoberfest celebration on Friday, 10/04/2025." A councilmember moved to approve and another seconded; the motion carried by voice vote. The record therefore shows both Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 referenced at different points in the discussion; organizers and staff should confirm the intended date when completing the event-authorization form.

The council did not attach a funding appropriation for city services; Hale asked only for barricade help, dumpsters and staff coordination. Any city-provided services will be set out in the event authorization and handled by City Hall under the revised event-permitting approach the council adopted earlier in the meeting.