More than 18,000 people are expected to head to Lewinsville Park on Saturday, May 16 to celebrate the 100th annual McLean Day, brought to you by the McLean Community Center.
“For the 100th anniversary, patrons will see a new event ‘look,’ many new rides, a petting zoo, a history walk, and a new layout,” says Catherine Nesbitt, MCC special events manager. “People come back repeatedly for family fun to enjoy the stage presentations, food, rides, balloon animals and other fun attractions.”
For many McLean residents, McLean Day signals the beginning of summer. Schools are almost out, the weather is warming up and it offers the perfect opportunity for families to have a relaxed and enjoyable time together.
“The spring carnival is loved by everyone in our family,” says Mike Fenwich, a 10-year resident of the area. “We’ve been coming since we moved here and the kids love the rides, my wife loves seeing the neighbors and we all love the food.”
As always, there will be plenty of wonderful live performances happening throughout the day, with some of the area’s most entertaining acts taking the stage, including the Joy of Dance, Mutts Gone Nuts and Last Train Home.
The MCA Teen Character Awards, which recognizes and shows appreciation to teens who have contributed to the welfare of and shown exemplary behavior toward their families and neighbors, and are an inspiration to their peers, will also be presented.
Also on tap for this year is a new petting zoo, new amusement park rides, a larger marketplace with expanded exhibitor booths, the area’s hottest food trucks, plus plenty of games and other dining opportunities.
Some of the popular events through the years have been laser tag, archery tag, a rock climbing wall, face painting, pony and train rides, and much, much more.
McLean Day started thanks to a partnership between the McLean School and the Civic League back in 1915, who were looking for a fun way to raise funds for the area’s school and community projects. Over the next century, numerous McLean organizations have kept the carnival afloat, with the MCC taking over for good in 1977. It was in 1988 that the carnival moved to Lewinsville Park for the first time, and it’s been home to McLean Day ever since.
In addition to this being the 100th Anniversary of McLean Day, it’s also the centennial of the Franklin Sherman Elementary School, and the festival will make special note of that achievement, as well. After all, the first few years of the carnival were held in a field adjacent to the school.
“You will see historical information about Franklin Sherman Elementary School as a part of the History Walk,” Nesbitt says.
Admission to the festival is free and the costs for unlimited ride bracelets have been lowered. A free shuttle is available to take festival-goers to the park, with stops at the McLean Community Center, McLean Baptist Church and Redeemer Lutheran Church.
“McLean Day is a family event because it offers activities, exhibitor booths, rides and something fun for all ages so that everyone can have a good time,” Nesbitt says. “We invite everyone to come out for the action.”
For more information about McLean Day, visit mcleancenter.org.
