Here’s What to Expect at This Year’s Free McLean Day Festival

McLean Day, an annual outdoor festival, will soon return to Lewinsville Park on Saturday, May 18.

Started in 1915, the McLean School and Civic League and the McLean Volunteer Fire Department created McLean Day as a fundraiser for the Franklin Sherman School. The festival changed over the years and is now produced by the McLean Community Center.

This year’s free festival will include the following activities:

• large amusement rides
• costumed superhero characters available for photos
• Bubble Ball
• a rock-climbing wall
• a petting zoo
• Riverbend Park animal presentations from noon-3 p.m.
• laser tag

People who want a sneak peek at the amusement rides can come to a preview on Friday, May 17, from 2-7 p.m.

In addition to the rides, McLean Day will offer food and performances, including dancers in MCC’s Joy of Dance classes, children’s music group Big Bang Boom, Brazilian martial arts group Abada-Capoeira D.C. and local teen singer and songwriter Mia Rocks. A stage for jugglers located by the children’s ride area will be new this year.

For the smartphone savvy, the Whova McLean Day App — available for free from The App Store or Google Play — has information about the festival.

Residents of the McLean Community Center tax district will be able to vote for the MCC Governing Board from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Eleven candidates are running for seats on the board on this with five adults vying for three seats and six teens vying for two student seats — one for the Langley High School boundary area and another for the McLean High School boundary area.

While parking is prohibited at Lewinsville Park all day on McLean Day, attendees can use three satellite parking lots and free ADA-accessible shuttle buses from 10:25 a.m.-6 p.m. at:

• McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue)
• Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (1545 Chain Bridge Road)
• McLean Baptist Church (1367 Chain Bridge Road)

The free festival, which is looking for volunteers, runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1659 Chain Bridge Road. (A note to attendees: cigarettes, balloons and alcohol are not allowed.)

Photos courtesy McLean Community Center