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McLean Day returned to Lewinsville Park on May 15 and 16, filling the grounds with carnival rides, live music, food trucks, games and family-friendly activities.
Organized by the McLean Community Center, the annual festival traces its roots to 1915, when the McLean School and Civic League held a school and community fundraiser at Franklin Sherman School. The tradition has continued for more than a century.
Admission remained free, while carnival rides required tickets or wristbands. Discounted ride passes were available in advance through the community center.
Throughout the weekend, visitors explored rows of booths, supported local vendors, watched musical performances and visited petting areas. More than 100 businesses and organizations participated, joined by the Fairfax County police and fire departments with activities and giveaways.
The rides produced some of the festival’s longest lines. A guitar-themed pendulum attraction swung riders high above the grounds while rotating 360 degrees.
“It was very crowded and the line for any ride was super long,” sophomore Caroline Yu said. “I went with my friends so it wasn’t boring waiting in the lines, we also played Heads Up, which was really fun.”
Other popular choices included a glider ride that carried passengers in circles above the fairgrounds and a drop tower offering one of the event’s biggest thrills.
The Appalachian Mountains ride provided a more social experience, playing popular music as groups rode together, took photos and enjoyed the songs.
“McLean Day is a great event to go with friends or family,” senior Zain Shah said. “I really enjoyed spending time with my friends while trying new activities. It was a great way to hang out and make lasting memories before graduation.”
McLean Day attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year, offering residents a chance to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new people.
“Coming to McLean Day was a very fun experience for me because I got to hang out with my friends and listen to good music,” sophomore Elizabeth Teeter said. “It was an event that got me reunited with friends that I haven’t talked to in a long time, so I’m glad that I came.”