McLean Day is always highly anticipated by local residents, drawing more than 10,000 attendees annually. But this year, the celebration will take on an extra-patriotic tenor with nods to the U.S.’s 250th birthday.
Set to return to Lewinsville Park (1659 Chain Bridge Road) on Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the annual festival will open its 111th year with a performance by the McLean Community Players — possibly a preview of their upcoming summer production of “1776,” the musical retelling of the Second Continental Congress and signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“That’s going to be a really fun piece to start off with,” McLean Community Center (MCC) Special Events Coordinator Willie Montgomery told FFXnow, noting that details are still being worked out with the theater group only just starting rehearsals this week.
The festival introduction could also include a spoken word or poetry reading by at least one winner of the visual arts and writing competition hosted by MCC’s Youth Ambassador Program.
Open to high school students who live or attend school in MCC’s tax district, the contest accepted entries earlier this spring that explored the theme “Freedom Through My Eyes.” Awards were handed out this past Saturday (May 2), and the submitted artwork is now on display at the community center (1234 Ingleside Avenue).
In addition to possibly getting to present their work at McLean Day, the writing winners had their pieces published in a print anthology that was shared at the awards reception.
According to Montgomery, the festival will also tie into America’s 250th with patriotic decor, particularly on its main entertainment stage, as well as specially designed sponsor T-shirts handed out to visitors who fill out MCC’s customer service survey, which will be available in person and online via a QR Code.
Attendees looking to capture their experience — perhaps to share on social media — can check out a photo booth experience centered on a giant “250” sign that will be installed at the park.
In addition, the Fairfax County Park Authority will have a Fairfax 250 booth in the festival’s Sponsor Row throughout Saturday, where staff will share information about other local festivities commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“I think anytime you have a community festival like McLean Day, it kind of fits into that idea of Americana,” Montgomery said. “… It’s very much community-based, but we are trying to enhance it.”
Outside of the semiquincentennial tie-ins, this year’s McLean Day will offer a variety of entertainment, food trucks, carnival rides, market vendors and family-friendly activities, including some attractions that are new or haven’t been featured in a while.
Along with the McLean Community Players, the main stage will host showcases for MCC’s Art in Motion dance students, and Motown tribute band The Sound of Soul is set to return after also headlining last year’s festival.
Montgomery says MCC decided to provide more entertainment throughout the park this time instead of concentrating everything on one stage. (The) Unruly Theatre Project, the center’s teen improv group, will put on four shows throughout the day in the food court area.
“They usually would do one set on the stage, but if you know improv, they need to be a little closer, more intimate, so we’re giving them the opportunity to kind of get out there and hone their skills,” Montgomery said. “… They’ve won awards throughout the history of being here, and so, we really wanted to give them more space.”
He’s also anticipating the involvement of NoVA Toss and Fetch, a local company that stages dog tricks. Similar shows have been included in McLean Day in the past, and the organization was slated to participate in last year’s McLean Pet Fest, but that event got rained out.
In an addition for 2026, MCC has enlisted Once Upon a Time Entertainment to bring performers acting as Mary Poppins, Anna and Elsa from “Frozen,” and Elphaba and Glinda from “Wicked.” The “Frozen” sisters are expected to lead story times for kids, while Mary Poppins, Elphaba and Glinda will join a juggler and stilt walkers roaming throughout the park.
The food options will similarly include a mix of returning favorites and newcomers:
- DC Slices
- The Tender Rib
- Mo’s Chicken & Smashburger
- Roaming Coyote
- Yummy Thai Kitchen
- Jarabe Gourmet Pops, a new vendor
- Westray’s Finest Ice Cream
- Tip Top Tap, which is serving the beer garden
About 45 vendors are expected in the marketplace, most of them selling crafts, artisan goods and other products, along with over 50 general exhibitors promoting their organization or business, including Fairfax County’s fire and police departments.
Like in past years, the carnival rides from Cole Shows Amusement Company will open on Friday (May 15) from 3-9 p.m. This time, Friday will also include a silent dance party on Lewinsville Park’s turf field.
Tickets and wristbands for the rides can be purchased online at a $5 discount until 3 p.m. on May 15. According to MCC, Cole has adopted a new, all-digital system this year instead of using paper tickets and wristbands.
Patrons scan their wristband or a mobile app in a system that the community center hopes will make the process of obtaining tickets and getting access to rides more seamless.
“We’re hoping that will help us on the lines and some of the waiting, especially those who buy their tickets in advance, which we try to get people to do,” Montgomery said.
During both days of the event, McLean residents can also meet candidates and cast their ballot in MCC’s governing board election, which is wrapping up absentee voting at 5 p.m. this Friday (May 8). Youth candidates seeking to represent the Langley and McLean high school boundary areas will be present on Friday, while the 12 adults vying for four open seats will be at McLean Day on Saturday.
MCC confirmed that Fairfax Connector will again provide free shuttle service on Saturday to Lewinsville Park from designated parking sites, since parking won’t be available at the park. In the past, parking has been provided at the community center, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (1545 Chain Bridge Road) and McLean Baptist Church (1367 Chain Bridge Road).
Because of McLean Day, the Fairfax County Park Authority’s McLean Farmers Market, typically held at Lewinsville Park on Fridays, will have that week off.
Organized by MCC, McLean Day’s sponsors include the park authority, Fairfax Connector, Wheat’s Landscaping, Mars, Johns Hopkins Medicine, McLean Properties and the Rotary Club of McLean.
“It’s going to be a really, really fun event,” Montgomery said. “I think people are going to really enjoy some of the enhancements and some of the changes that were made.”
