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McLean Day will return to Lewinsville Park on Saturday, May 16, with an expanded lineup celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday alongside the festival’s familiar mix of rides, food and entertainment.
The 111th annual festival will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1659 Chain Bridge Road. More than 10,000 people typically attend the community celebration each year.
The McLean Community Players are expected to open the festival, potentially offering a preview of their summer production of “1776,” the musical about the Second Continental Congress and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The group recently began rehearsals, so details remain in development.
The opening may also feature spoken-word or poetry presentations from winners of the McLean Community Center Youth Ambassador Program’s visual arts and writing contest. The competition invited high school students who live or attend school in the center’s tax district to explore the theme “Freedom Through My Eyes.”
Awards were presented May 2. The artwork is now displayed at the community center, 1234 Ingleside Avenue, while the winning written pieces appeared in a printed anthology distributed during the awards reception.
Patriotic decorations will be especially prominent around the main entertainment stage. Visitors who complete the community center’s customer-service survey in person or through a QR code can receive specially designed sponsor T-shirts.
A photo area built around a giant “250” display will give attendees another way to mark the anniversary. The Fairfax County Park Authority will also operate a Fairfax 250 booth in Sponsor Row with information about other local commemorations.
Performers Spread Across the Park
Organizers are moving more entertainment beyond the main stage this year.
The stage schedule will include the community center’s Art in Motion dance students and returning Motown tribute band The Sound of Soul, which also headlined the 2025 festival.
The Unruly Theatre Project, the center’s teen improvisational theater group, will present four shows in the food court area. The smaller setting is intended to give the performers a closer connection with their audience.
Organizers also anticipate an appearance by NoVA Toss and Fetch, a local dog-trick company. Similar acts have appeared at McLean Day before, and the organization had been scheduled for the 2025 McLean Pet Fest before rain canceled that event.
Once Upon a Time Parties DC will bring costumed performers portraying Mary Poppins, Anna and Elsa from “Frozen,” and Elphaba and Glinda from “Wicked.” Anna and Elsa are expected to lead children’s story times, while the other characters will roam through the park with a juggler and stilt walkers.
Food Trucks, Vendors and Carnival Rides
Festival dining options will include DC Slices, The Tender Rib, Mo’s Chicken & Smashburger, Roaming Coyote, Yummy Thai Kitchen, Westray’s Finest Ice Cream and newcomer Jarabe Gourmet Pops. Tip Top Tap will serve the beer garden.
About 45 marketplace vendors are expected to sell crafts, artisan goods and other products. More than 50 additional exhibitors will promote local organizations and businesses, including the Fairfax County fire and police departments.
Cole Shows Amusement Company will open the carnival rides from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 15. A silent dance party will also take place that evening on Lewinsville Park’s turf field.
Ride tickets and wristbands are available online at a $5 discount until 3 p.m. May 15. Cole Shows is replacing paper tickets and wristbands with an all-digital system that will let visitors scan a wristband or use a mobile app. Organizers hope the change will reduce lines, particularly for people who purchase admission in advance.
Voting and Transportation
McLean residents will be able to vote in the community center’s governing board election during both days of activities.
Youth candidates seeking to represent the Langley and McLean high school boundary areas will attend Friday’s event. The 12 adult candidates competing for four open seats will appear Saturday. Absentee voting closes at 5 p.m. Friday, May 8.
Parking will not be available at Lewinsville Park on Saturday. Fairfax Connector will provide free shuttle service from designated parking locations. Previous festivals have used the McLean Community Center, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer at 1545 Chain Bridge Road and McLean Baptist Church at 1367 Chain Bridge Road.
The McLean Farmers Market, normally held at Lewinsville Park on Fridays, will skip that week because of the festival.
McLean Day is organized by the McLean Community Center. Sponsors include the Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax Connector, Wheat’s Landscaping, Mars, Johns Hopkins Medicine, McLean Properties and the Rotary Club of McLean.