Olney Days Updates & History
Last year's Olney Days was a great success. We look forward to building on that success for 2019. Here are some highlights:
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.
Traditionally the weekend was held the weekend before Memorial Day. In 2018, the date had to be moved to the last weekend in April because the Olney Swim Center was to be renovated starting on May 1 and the area around it would be inaccessible. The community overwhelmingly liked the change so moving forward Olney Days will be the last weekend in April.
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.
- The Free Paper Shred Event will continue to include the recycling of electronics.
- The Second Annual Party in the Park 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, competitions, and food eating contests will occur as usual. Be sure to check out the second annual 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 night will end with our traditional fireworks.
- Martin's Sedan and Limousine will provide FREE shuttle service from Shaare Tefila and the ICC Commuter Lot to Olney Manor Park.
- 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.
- The Community Clean Up will now be Sunday morning and groups will meet at Olney Manor Park. Groups (formal and informal) can also 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.
Traditionally the weekend was held the weekend before Memorial Day. In 2018, the date had to be moved to the last weekend in April because the Olney Swim Center was to be renovated starting on May 1 and the area around it would be inaccessible. The community overwhelmingly liked the change so moving forward Olney Days will be the last weekend in April.
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.