McCeney March Goes Virtual September 29-Oct 3.

The 5th annual "McCeney March" is going virtual! Instead of being held on a set day and time, this year participants can walk 1 mile or a 5K at a time and route of their choosing between Wednesday, September 29th and October 3rd. Walkers will be encouraged to walk through historic Laurel, to a business on Main Street, in their neighborhood, or even on a treadmill. They’ll be asked to document their walk with pictures and share them on social media.

According to McCeney March Co-Chair Bob Mignon, The Laurel Historical Society (LHS) wanted to continue the McCeney March tradition but knew this year must be different due to the Coronavirus. Virtual seemed the way to go, and it chose September 29 as the beginning day because it was Jim McCeney’s Birthday.

Second, although it is a fundraiser, the LHS is not soliciting sponsors.

Noted Mignon, “It is clear that some of our generous past sponsors have been challenged this year, so we are not seeking sponsorships. Instead, we are encouraging participants to patronize our past sponsors and Main Street businesses. We will publish all of our past McCeney March sponsors on our website and on the McCeney March Route map. We are accepting registration fees and donations to support the 2020 McCeney March.”

Another change this year is that proceeds from the march will support teacher educational projects at the museum. This will help raise the level of educational programing the LHS provides for students of every age.

Registration fees for the McCeney March are: $10/child, $25/adult, $60 family of 4. To register for the walk this year visit: https://forms.gle/wgUojxpmyypnckg67. Each participant who registers by September 6 will receive a McCeney March mask this year instead of a T-shirt. This will allow them to wear a mask as they walk.

Jim McCeney is remembered for his commitment to our community, to Laurel's history, and to making Laurel a better place. He holds a special place for the Laurel Historical Society, where he served as President, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board. Jim McCeney walked 3 miles a day for many years. After he passed away in 2016, the organization established the McCeney March in his memory. The March Map will highlight one of Jim McCeney’s walking routes.

The Laurel Historical Society is located at 817 Main Street. The Laurel Museum is currently closed, but visitors to the LHS website can virtually tour the current exhibit “Unpacking Laurel’s Past”, and research the organization’s collections online at www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org. For questions or additional information email info@laurelhistoricalsociety.org or call 301-725-7975. ##