Happy Meals never looked so good.

On a night of burgers, mayhem and educational uplift, teachers from Oak Harbor Middle School donned their McUniforms and stepped behind the counter of Oak Harbor’s McDonald’s restaurant on Thursday to take part in McTeacher’s Night, a 3-hour fundraising blitz in celebration of American Education Week.

Twenty percent of proceeds during the event go directly to the school, to be used as teachers and students see fit. More than 140 McDonald’s around the state were taking part in what Governor Gary Locke officially recognized as McTeachers Night, and the overall goal of the fundraiser was to hit the $1 million mark.

They probably came close, judging by the crowds in Oak Harbor alone. The place was packed as students, parents, administrators and regular old patrons stood in line or wandered merrily about the restaurant.

“It’s a pretty good turnout,” said Oak Harbor Middle School Vice Principal Matt Cobb as he performed his duties of meeting and greeting customers. “We’re getting slammed right now.”

Cobb said that more than 25 staff members from the Oak Harbor school were taking part in the money-making McGala. Each teacher, pinned with a name tag, rotated through on a one-hour shift, either working the cash register, cooking up French fries, mixing shakes or pouring soft drinks.

With North Whidbey Middle School having raked in receipts of about $1,950 on a similar event on Tuesday, Cobb had high hopes for his school.

“It’s a great program,” Cobb said. “It’s good for the community. It’s raising money for a good cause. It’s a win-win situation for both sides.”

He added: “Bottom line, it’s been a lot of fun.”

Standing in the long line waiting to order, 7th-grader Aimee Flores said that she had already spotted a couple of her teachers sweating it out behind the counter, including her band instructor who was flipping burgers.

“I probably wouldn’t want to eat the burgers,” she said facetiously, admitting that she found the sight of educators schlepping fast food both fun and funny.

Loraine Goen, who is lead cook for Oak Harbor Middle School’s lunch program, said she was pleased with the tremendous turnout, especially as each burger served translated into some needful funding for the school.

“I think it’s super,” she said. “The money goes to our school and I guess we can use it for anything we want.”