McLean’s Winterfest Parade is reawakening after an extended hibernation.
The McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC) announced earlier this month that the once-annual celebration will return on Dec. 8 for the first time since 2018. Coupled with a free movie screening tonight (Friday), the parade’s revival reflects a shift in the nonprofit’s efforts to boost activity in downtown McLean.
After previously focusing on smaller projects like the Listrani peninsula and behind-the-scenes advocacy, including on Fairfax County’s comprehensive plan rewrite, MRC is seeking to gain more visibility and work more closely with the community at large under new president Tom Gilmore, board member Jessica Wu told FFXnow.
Gilmore, a principal with the developer Madison Marquette, has pushed the booster organization to find ways to draw people into McLean’s downtown, which is officially known as the Community Business Center (CBC).
“We do have a lot of really great gems in our downtown, and we really want to highlight those and bring some life back to them,” Wu said. “In the long run, we’re hoping that the activation and the footsteps in our downtown area will bring new businesses and new investment into our downtown area so that we can make it what people expect when they think of downtown McLean.”
MRC will initially take a small step toward raising its profile by hosting a screening of the animated kids’ film “Despicable Me 3” at Franklin Sherman Elementary School (6633 Brawner Street). The field will open at 6 p.m., but the movie will start at sunset, likely around 7:15 p.m.
The outdoor “Movie Under the Stars” event is free for all, and popcorn will be provided, though advance registration is encouraged. Almost 300 people had registered, as of noon yesterday, according to Wu.
The screening was made possible by a grant from the toll lanes operator Transurban, which launched a community grant program in 2022 to support nonprofits in the corridor affected by its ongoing project to extend the I-495 Express Lanes (495 NEXT).
There will also be a raffle with $100 gift cards donated by the local Giant Food and Thompson Hospitality — the parent company of Matchbox Pizza and Big Buns Damn Good Burgers — up for grabs.
“We’ve had just a lot of excitement around that specific event,” Wu said.
The McLean Winterfest Parade’s return will be a more significant undertaking.
After a cancellation due to weather in 2019, the event went on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. MRC decided to bring it back this year after a community survey indicated interest in a town parade.
Preceded at 2 p.m. by some not-yet-determined entertainment at Langley Shopping Center, the parade is expected to last from 3-5 p.m. and will feature music as well as “a mix of civic groups, school bands, scouts, floats, and vehicles,” per the event page. Food vendors will also be present, along with the 52 restaurants based in downtown McLean.
“We’re excited to bring back the McLean Winterfest Parade!” Winterfest co-chairs Barbara Zamora-Appel and Maria Foderaro-Guertin said in a statement. “Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we’ve been able to revive this cherished tradition and create a memorable Holiday celebration. We hope to see everyone on December 8th.”
In addition to seeking candidates for the pre-parade entertainment, MRC is looking to recruit parade participants and sponsors, who can help cover operational and marketing costs. There’s a $75 fee to register for the parade, but it will be waived for nonprofit and youth organizations.
Led by a 14-person board, with some seats, including the treasurer, slated to open up next year, the nonprofit’s mission is to encourage a revitalization of the McLean CBC in accordance with the county’s comprehensive plan and design guidelines, which envision the downtown area as a more walkable “neighborhood village” with a mix of residential and commercial uses.
As some development projects move forward, MRC is working to build relationships with local residents, businesses, property owners and Fairfax County and bring them on board with that vision, according to Wu.
“These events are what we’re trying to do to just bring all of those stakeholders together so that we can see the common ground and feel the sense of community that our organization is trying to bring to our town,” Wu said.
