Guide To McLean Day 2018: Food Vendors, Elections, More

MCLEAN, VA—McLean's biggest event of the year is almost here. McLean Day will be held Saturday, May 19 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road.

Hosted by the McLean Community Center, the festival has been a tradition for 103 years. McLean Day began in 1915 when the McLean School and Civic League sponsored a festival 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.

Admission is free. Activities will include rides, activities, food, performances and more. In addition, voting for the McLean Community Center board election will be held at the event.

Here's a guide to everything you should know about McLean Day:

Enjoy the rides early

A variety of popular large amusement rides can be enjoyed at McLean Day. Younger children can enjoy a “Kids’ Way” area that features ticketed rides especially for them. There will also be several free games and activities all over the park, including Bubble Ball, a climbing wall, laser tag and Squeals on Wheels Petting Zoo.

On Friday, May 18, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. patrons can come to Lewinsville Park to enjoy the large, ticketed amusement rides just inside the entrance on Chain Bridge Rd. Ride prices vary and some rides have height requirements.

Eat lots of delicious food

The food options are numerous as food trucks are located around the park. Two large covered tents with picnic tables are conveniently located close to food vendors. Food vendors include:

• Crepe Love, LLC: Sweet and savory crepes: Nutella, Fraise Amour, Coco Loco, Monsieur, Jean’s Dijon, Farmer Joe, S’more, Carnivale and water.
• Empanadas de Mendoza: Empanadas, fries, slaw, churros, Alfajores cookies, soda and water.
• Oasis Concessions: Frozen smoothies and lemonade, shaved ice, cotton candy and popcorn.
• Red Hook Lobster Pound: Maine lobster rolls, shrimp rolls, clam chowder, lobster mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, chips, drinks and whoopie pies.
• McLean Rotary Club: Pizza, hot dogs, bananas, chips, cookies, soda and water.
• Ride Concession Trailers: Corn dogs, funnel cakes, popcorn, ice cream, soda, coffee and water.
• Scoops 2U: Super premium ice cream flavors: Cookies 'n' Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip, Sweet 'n' Salty Caramel and Jacked Up Chocolate.
• Tasty Kabob Gyro, Inc.: Lamb or chicken gyro, lamb, chicken or chickpeas over rice, choice of two sides, water, soda and Snapple.
• The Big Cheese: Grilled cheese sandwiches: The Full Vermonty, Thrilled Cheese, Caprese, Fuji, Kids’ Grilled Cheese, gazpacho, lemonade and water.

Watch performances throughout the day

McLean Day now has two stages for entertainment—which means there is something for everyone to enjoy. Main Stage acts include: Mars Rodeo, Abada-Capoeira DC, The Harry Bells, The McLean Community Players and Still Surfin'. In addition, the McLean Citizens Association will present its annual Teen Character Awards at 3 p.m. Returning for a second year is the Children's Stage. Performers include students enrolled in Joy of Dance classes at MCC, as well as popular children's entertainers Alex and The Kaleidoscope, Rocknoceros and Mister G.

Vote in McLean Community Center election

Residents that live in the McLean Community Center tax district are eligible to vote from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Lewinsville Park (1659 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean). Voters must present ID or verify their address is in the tax district to vote.

If you cannot vote that day, absentee ballots can be completed by Wednesday, May 16 at 5 p.m. Call 703-790-0123 or email "elections@mcleancenter.org" to have a ballot package sent to your home. You may also stop by one of three MCC sites during business hours: Temporary Administrative Offices (6631 Old Dominion Drive), Temporary Program Office (6645 Old Dominion Dr. (McLean Square Shopping Center), The Old Firehouse Center (1440 Chain Bridge Road).

Four adults are vying for three adult seats and five teens are vying for two student seats (one for the Langley High School boundary area and one for the McLean High School boundary area) on the 11-member board. Adults 18 and up before May 19 can vote for adult candidates, and teens 15 to 17 can vote for youth candidates.

See more information about elections here. Read candidates' personal statements here.

Get the McLean Day app

Stay in the know about festival happenings by downloading the free Whova McLean Day app. Search for McLean Day 2018 on The App Store or Google Play.

Park or ride the shuttle for free

Parking is not available at Lewinsville Park on the day of the festival, so MCC strongly encourages participants to use its free shuttle service. Starting at 10:25 a.m. and running through 6 p.m., shuttle buses will run from the park to three satellite parking sites: McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Rd.; Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd.; and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1545 Chain Bridge Rd.

Know before you go

Balloons, cigarettes, alcohol or other controlled substances are not permitted on the park grounds. Political candidates, exhibitors and other vendors must contain their activities to their assigned booths. Soliciting is not allowed on the grounds of the park during McLean Day. Patrons are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activities to Center staff and Police and Fire personnel.

For festival updates, visit www.mcleancenter.org/special-events or call MCCat 703-790-0123 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on McLean Day.

Weather

The rainy, dreary weather continues, but McLean Day is still on.

Image via McLean Community Center