McLean Day 2019: Activities, Other Things To Know

MCLEAN, VA—If you're not in the summer spirit yet, you will be once McLean Day comes around. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road.

The free event draws over 10,000 people each year. Attendees can expect free live entertainment, carnival rides, games, food trucks, petting zoo, laser tag, a rock climbing wall, costumed characters, exhibitors and other entertainment. Voting for the McLean Community Center board election will also be held at the event. The event is rain or shine.

Hosted by the McLean Community Center, the festival has been a tradition since 1915. It started as a festival sponsored by the McLean School and Civic League to raise funds for school and community projects. Throughout the years, various community organizations kept it going, until MCC began producing it in the mid-1970s. In 1988 it moved to Lewinsville Park where it has remained.

Before you go, here are a few things to know:

1. Free shuttles to the event are provided.

Parking is not available at Lewinsville Park on the day of the festival, so MCC strongly encourages participants to use its free shuttle service. Shuttle buses will run from three locations: McLean Baptist Church (1367 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101) Redeemer Lutheran Church (1545 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101) and McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101).

2. Vote in the McLean Community Center election.

Voting for the McLean Community Center Governing Board will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 18 at Lewinsville Park. 11 residents—five adults and six teens—are running for the board. The three adult candidates and one teen candidate each from the McLean High School boundary and Langley High School boundary who receive the highest vote counts will be elected.

Residents of Dranesville Small District 1A are eligible to vote. Absentee voting is also available through Wednesday, May 15. See candidate statements and more election information here.

3. There will be a variety of food choices

The food vendors at McLean Day will include:

• Empanadas de Mendoza: Empanadas, choripan, chimi fries, churros, lemonade, soda and bottled water
• McLean Rotary Club: Pizza, hot dogs, chips, cookies, soda and water
• Red Hook Lobster Pound: Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls, shrimp rolls, clam chowder, lobster mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, chips, sodas and whoopie pies
• Ride Concession Trailers: Corn dogs, funnel cakes, popcorn, ice cream, soda, coffee and water
• Scoops 2U: Super premium ice cream: vanilla, cookies 'n' cream, chocolate, birthday cake, cookie dough, and raspberry sorbet
• The Big Cheese: Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches: kids’ grilled cheese, watermelon feta salad, gazpacho, ice tea, lemonade and water
• The Frenchman Food Truck: Baked brie, a variety of gourmet chicken and grilled cheese sandwiches, French fries with garlic and aioli
• The Roaming Coyote: Handcrafted tacos (chicken, grilled vegetables, flank steak, pulled pork and blackened fish), taco bowl, mini chimis, nachos, guacamole, chips and salsa

3. Local performers will provide entertainment throughout the day.

• 11 a.m.: Joy of Dance: The MCC’s dance program student showcase
• 12:30 p.m.: Big Bang Boom: Rock stars for the kiddos and kids-at-heart!
• 2 p.m.: Abada-Capoeira DC: Dance-infused Brazilian martial arts with thrilling drums.
• 3 p.m.: McLean Citizens Association Teen Character Awards
• 4 p.m.: The Mia Rocks Band: Singer-songwriter (and Northern Virginia teen) Mia and her band play original music and covers of alternative pop hits.

4. Check out the carnival early.

A preview day is held the day before for rides only. Check out the rides on Friday, May 17 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ride tickets are sold on site.

5. Volunteers are needed.

McLean Community Center staff need volunteers 16 and up to run the festival between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Volunteers are required to attend a mandatory orientation on Thursday, May 16 or Friday, May 17 at 4 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. To volunteer, sign up here.

Patch will update this guide up to the day of the festival.