McLean Day 2023 Festival at Lewinsville Park
County of Fairfax, Virginia
The McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean Va. 22101
Media Contact:
Sabrina Anwah, Director of Communications
703-790-0123, TTY: 711
sabrina.anwah@fairfaxcounty.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 4, 2023
023-038
McLean Day 2023 brings mega family fun to Lewinsville Park on May 20
McLean, Va.— McLean’s annual party in the park, McLean Day 2023, is almost here. The free, outdoor festival is produced by the McLean Community Center (MCC) and offers a wide variety of attractions, including carnival rides, games and performances. Here’s a brief rundown of various aspects of the festival, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, at Lewinsville Park. The park is located at 1659 Chain Bridge Rd.
A Brief History of the Festival
McLean Day has been in existence for 108 years. It began in 1915 as a school and community fundraiser put on by the McLean School and Civic League at Franklin Sherman School. Over the years, a host of community organizations kept it going until the mid-1970s when MCC began producing it and then moved it to its current home, Lewinsville Park, in 1988.
MCC Governing Board Election
MCC’s 2023 Governing Board Election will be held at the park from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fifteen Dranesville Small District 1A residents are running for seats on the board. Five adults are vying for three vacant adult seats and 10 teens are vying for two vacant student seats (one for the Langley High School boundary area and one for the McLean High School boundary area). Only district residents are permitted to vote in the election. Absentee voting is available through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17. For more information, visit MCC’s website, https://mcleancenter.org.
T.G.I. F. Carnival Rides
Patrons can enjoy carnival rides on Friday, May 19, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the park. Ticket prices vary, and some rides have height requirements. The rides are located in two areas of the park, the parking lot to the right of the entrance and toward the exit at the back of the park, where small carnival rides are located. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Cole Rides through a link on the center’s website, https://mcleancenter.org, or onsite on Friday and Saturday.
Rides and Amusements
The carnival amusements and rides are a big draw at McLean Day. This year’s selection will shake things up! Large rides are located on the parking lot at the right of the entrance. The Kids’ Way area of the park offers ticketed rides especially for younger children. Roaming costumed characters, including your favorite superheroes, will be available to interact with patrons and pose for photos. Other free activities include a beachball corral, laser tag, Bubble Ball, two rock-climbing walls, balloon twisters, a magician and a petting zoo.
Lots of Treats to Eat!
Do you favor festival food? Come to McLean Day ready to enjoy a wide variety of American and international entrees, snacks and beverages. Some of the area’s best gourmet food trucks will be on hand to serve the crowds in Lewinsville Park.
Music and Dance Performances
Free performances will be offered throughout the festival on the Community Stage.
Schedule (Subject to change)
11 a.m. Art in Motion, MCC’s Youth Dance Class Participants
12:50 p.m. Noah Asher, Low-key Covers and Originals
1:10 p.m. Hull, Alternative Rock Band
1:40 p.m. Unruly Theatre Project, The Alden’s professional teen improv group
2:20 p.m. Minahil Ishaq, Singer-Songwriter
2:50 p.m. Kiril French, Broadway and Pop Solos
3 p.m. Teen Character Awards, Presented by the McLean Citizens Association
3:20 p.m. Kiril French, Broadway Tunes and Pop Solos
3:45 p.m. Hull, Alternative Rock Band
In addition, a Jugglers’ Stage, located close to the children’s ride area, offers free performances throughout the event.
Transportation Options Abound
Parking is not available at Lewinsville Park on the day of the festival. Patrons can take free Fairfax Connector shuttles from McLean Metrorail Station and three satellite locations to McLean Day. Free shuttle buses will run from the parking sites to the park starting at 10:25 a.m. and running through 6 p.m.
Satellite Routes are as follows:
Red - McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101, McLean, VA 22101. Patrons should meet the buses at the church entrance in the parking lot.
Yellow - McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean VA 22101. Patrons should meet at the main entrance of the center where signage indicates.
Blue – Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1545 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA 22101. Patrons should meet the buses at the church entrance in the parking lot.
Patrons can also take Fairfax Connector Route 721 to stop ID 5429 for just $2 each way. All Fairfax Connector Shuttles to McLean Day are air-conditioned, ADA and wheelchair accessible, have low floor ramps or are lift-equipped. They also have two bike racks and allow service animals. For more information, visit the MCC website, https://mcleancenter.org.
Sponsors Help Make McLean Day Happen
McLean Day is produced by the McLean Community Center (MCC). Community-minded local businesses enhance festival offerings. To date, this year’s sponsors are Wheat’s Landscaping, Giant Food, Mars Inc., McLean Properties and Washington Fine Properties.
Let’s Keep It Clean and Comfortable for All
Zero Waste Event Productions will return for a second year to help McLean Day to stay clean and green. The company will manage and process all waste and recycling materials generated at the event. Patrons are encouraged to help by using the proper bins when disposing of items throughout the event.
Additional Information
Patrons are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and report suspicious activities to MCC staff and Police and Fire personnel. Balloons, alcohol or other controlled substances are not permitted on the park grounds. Patrons are requested not to smoke cigarettes or vape on park grounds. Political candidates, exhibitors and other venders must contain their activities to their assigned booths. Soliciting or pamphleting is not allowed on the grounds of the park during McLean Day.
For festival updates, driving directions, shuttle bus stop locations and a festival area map, visit: https://mcleancenter.org/special-events or call MCC at 703-790-0123/TTY: 711. The center’s telephone will be answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the festival.
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The McLean Community Center, an agency of Fairfax County Government, is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all programs, services and activities. We will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. To request special accommodations, call the Center 14 working days in advance of the event.
To request this information in an alternate format, call 711.
