Olney Days History
There are new and exciting changes for 2018. First is the change in the date for this year only. Historically the celebration is the weekend before Memorial Day. However, the Olney Swim Center and its parking lot will be closing on May 1 for renovations so the committee needed to either find another location for the fireworks and park activities OR change the date. Given the size of the crowds and need for parking, the Olney Days Planning Committee chose to keep the location in the park and change the date to April 27 - 29.
Olney Days started over 30 years ago with a parade along Georgia Avenue. It has grown each year to now cover three days of family friendly events for all ages, drawing nearly 10,000 attendees from Olney and surrounding areas. Planning begins in the fall with the Olney Days Planning Committee. It takes approximately 100 volunteers and dozens of corporate sponsors each year to make it a success. When you see the "Proud Olney Days Sponsor" sticker in a business's window, please thank them for supporting our community.
Olney Civic Fund raises money to support Olney area non-profits AND to fund the annual Olney Days celebration. Olney Civic Fund annually raises over $25,000 to cover the costs of the Olney Days weekend AND provides grants to Olney area non-profits. Past grant award winners include Project Change, Our House, Olney Help, First Generation College Bound, Olney Theatre, and Olney Farmers and Artists Market.
- This year the Free Paper Shred Event will include the recycling of electronics.
- Another exciting change is the Party in the Park. We combined two favorite events: The Rock the Lot Block Party for adults and teens with the Children's Fun Fair. The big rock stage will be set up in the park on Saturday along with the beer & wine garden. All the carnival games, athletic competitions, and food eating contests will occur as usual. We are adding a Tug of War contest. There is a Fun Tug for children and/or families, and we look forward to groups, sports teams, and even businesses coming together to compete as a team in the Under 23 yr and Adult categories. The Olney Big Band will play in their regular location in front of the swim center as it gets dark and the night will end with our traditional fireworks.
- Alex's Run is Sunday morning of the weekend. In honor of Alex Popeck, the 5K walk/run raises money to give scholarships to students graduating from Montgomery County Schools that embody Alex's "Never Back Down" spirit. These are teens that notice and act upon a challenge, injustice, or need for change in their community, school, or family. Over $85,000 has been awarded so far. Click here to register.
- Wrapping up the weekend will be a Community Clean Up. Groups (formal and informal) can sign up to clean up an area of Olney of their own choosing. Olney Civic Fund will arrange with the county to provide bags and pick up of the trash. Click here for more information.
Olney Days started over 30 years ago with a parade along Georgia Avenue. It has grown each year to now cover three days of family friendly events for all ages, drawing nearly 10,000 attendees from Olney and surrounding areas. Planning begins in the fall with the Olney Days Planning Committee. It takes approximately 100 volunteers and dozens of corporate sponsors each year to make it a success. When you see the "Proud Olney Days Sponsor" sticker in a business's window, please thank them for supporting our community.
Olney Civic Fund raises money to support Olney area non-profits AND to fund the annual Olney Days celebration. Olney Civic Fund annually raises over $25,000 to cover the costs of the Olney Days weekend AND provides grants to Olney area non-profits. Past grant award winners include Project Change, Our House, Olney Help, First Generation College Bound, Olney Theatre, and Olney Farmers and Artists Market.
