The McLean Community Center opens its October calendar with a free outdoor arts festival Oct. 4 and a governing board vote on its next budget Oct. 28.

The festival, formerly known as MPAartfest, continues a 19-year tradition at McLean Central Park. McLean Artfest runs Sunday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features original work by more than 30 Mid-Atlantic artists, live music, a beer and wine garden, food trucks and a Children's Art Walk. This year marks the first time MCC produces the event in partnership with McLean Project for the Arts, Patch reported. Executive Director Betsy May-Salazar highlighted the new partnership in the center's summer program guide.

The McLean 5K follows on Oct. 10, starting at 8 a.m. at McLean Square Shopping Center, 6631 Old Dominion Drive. The race benefits the McLean Community Foundation. Registration costs $45 through midnight Oct. 7 and rises to $50 starting Oct. 9. Packet pickup is Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the McLean Community Center (MCC), 1234 Ingleside Ave. After the race, runners can head to the Old Firehouse Center for IGNITE: Relax & Recover from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The McLean Citizens Association September newsletter describes the 5K as "a certified course through McLean designed to appeal to runners of all ability and experience levels."

At the Alden Theatre

Ballet Hispánico New York performs "MUJERES: Women in Motion" at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. McLean Community Players stage "The Addams Family" over two weekends, Oct. 9–11 and Oct. 16–18. A live-action graphic novel adaptation, "Treasure Island Reimagined: Jane Hawkins and the Pirate's Gold," plays at 7 p.m. Oct. 13, with three performers providing character voices and sound effects alongside 1,200 projected illustrations. The Borisevich Duo closes the performance lineup with a chamber music program at 2 p.m. Oct. 25.

Halloween and youth events

The Old Firehouse Center, 1440 Chain Bridge Road, hosts a Monster Mash party for fifth- and sixth-graders on Oct. 23 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A Haunted Masquerade for seventh- and eighth-graders follows Oct. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m., with a live DJ, open dance floor and light refreshments. Registration is required for both; costumes are encouraged.

The month wraps with the Festival of Frights & Trunk or Treat on Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Old Firehouse Center. The free event features decorated trunk displays, games and treats. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Budget vote and civic deadlines

Residents who want a say in how MCC spends their tax dollars have until Oct. 19 to submit written comments on the fiscal 2028 budget by email to [email protected] or by mail.

MCC is funded by a real estate tax surcharge on properties in the Dranesville small tax district, currently $0.023 per $100 of assessed value.

The MCC Governing Board, chaired by Ron Keesing, is scheduled to vote on the FY2028 budget at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at 1234 Ingleside Ave. The meeting is open to the public.

Oct. 19 is also the deadline for the Macdonald Performing Arts Scholarship Competition. Students in the MCC tax district can compete for awards of $1,200, $800 and $400 in dance, instrumental music, theater and vocal music.

Upcoming calendar

  • Friday, Oct. 2: Ballet Hispánico, Alden Theatre, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 4: McLean Artfest, McLean Central Park, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free.
  • Oct. 9–11 and Oct. 16–18: "The Addams Family," Alden Theatre
  • Oct. 10: McLean 5K, 8 a.m., McLean Square Shopping Center
  • Oct. 12: Touch A Truck, MCC parking lot, 9 a.m.–noon. Free. Quiet hour 9–10 a.m.
  • Oct. 13: "Treasure Island Reimagined," Alden Theatre, 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 19: FY2028 budget written-comment deadline; Macdonald scholarship deadline
  • Oct. 23: Monster Mash (grades 5–6), Old Firehouse Center, 7–9:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 24: Haunted Masquerade (grades 7–8), Old Firehouse Center, 6–9 p.m.
  • Oct. 25: Borisevich Duo, Alden Theatre, 2 p.m.
  • Oct. 28: MCC Governing Board budget vote, 1234 Ingleside Ave., 6:30 p.m. Open to public.
  • Oct. 31: Festival of Frights & Trunk or Treat, Old Firehouse Center, 5–8 p.m. Free.

Weekly drop-in mah-jongg runs Mondays (7–10 p.m. at MCC), Wednesdays (10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Old Firehouse Center) and Thursdays (4–7 p.m. at MCC). Open game nights are Wednesdays, 6:30–9 p.m. at the Old Firehouse Center.