Experience the wonder and magic of the holiday season at the annual Lighting of Wake Forest. Sponsored by Holding Village and presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. (WFD), the event is scheduled this evening (Friday, Dec. 2) from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St., and along East Owen Avenue.
Please note: Mayor Vivian Jones is scheduled to light the Town’s 26-foot-tall Christmas tree in Centennial Plaza at approximately 6:15 p.m.
Centennial Plaza will host musical performances by choral groups from Heritage Elementary School, Heritage Middle School, and Wake Forest iSTEM Elementary School, while East Owen Avenue will be the site of roving LED performers and the following food trucks: Nomad Beverage Co., Not Just a Fry Guy, and The Naked Empanada. Crumbl Cookies of Wake Forest will also be on-site giving away free cookies while supplies last.
The Lighting of Wake Forest will also feature Santa Claus’ exciting arrival aboard a Wake Forest Fire Department fire truck, a children’s craft activity (sponsored by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club), and “Pictures with Santa” in the Town Hall lobby.
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Embrace the holiday season and experience historic downtown Wake Forest’s unique array of shops and restaurants during the Downtown Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 3, beginning at 10 a.m.
Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. (WFD), the Downtown Holiday Open House will feature special offers and complimentary refreshments at participating shops and restaurants, along with fun-filled activities for kids and families. As a special bonus, Cartoon Jordan will be onsite from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. drawing black and white caricatures for $15 each.
Area residents are encouraged to show their support for our downtown merchants by shopping local this holiday season. As an incentive, WFD will offer a prize wheel near the intersection of South White Street and Jones Avenue on December 3 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Everyone who spends at least $10 at a downtown business during the Holiday Open House will be eligible to visit the WFD table and spin the wheel for a chance to win a prize. Prizes have been generously donated by downtown merchants, along with $1,000 in Downtown Dollars from WFD.
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A limited number of tickets are still available for all three performances of North Wake Theatre’s Plaid Tidings – A Holiday Edition Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. The “Forever Plaid” boys are back for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances on Saturday, Dec. 10, and a 3 p.m. show on Sunday, Dec. 11.
For this Christmas special, the legendary Plaids return to Earth to spread yuletide joy by performing a selection of all-time holiday favorites. “Plaid Tidings” offers the best of Forever Plaid, tied up in a nifty package with a big Christmas bow on top! This truly "heaven-sent" holiday treat will lift audiences' spirits and fill them with nostalgia for a bygone era of classic music sung in perfect harmony.
Tickets may be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card. Advance tickets may also be purchased with cash, check, or credit card at the Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 S. Brooks St.
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The 2022 Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive is underway. As part of this year’s effort, area residents and businesses can contribute online to one or more of the following initiatives:
Helping Others by Providing Electricity (HOPE)
Northern Community Food Security Team
Shop with a Cop
Wake Forest Firefighters Foundation
Wake Forest PRCR Scholarship Program
These programs are addressing specific needs in our community, including hunger, home lighting and heating, youth health and fitness, and providing joy and hope during the holiday season and beyond. The Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive is an opportunity to demonstrate the community’s support for these important efforts.
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The popular Letters for Santa mailbox is available in Jones Plaza at the intersection of South White Street and East Jones Avenue.
Children of all ages are invited to bring their letters to Santa’s Mailbox anytime through Friday, Dec. 23, for immediate delivery to the North Pole. No postage is required.
A “Letter from Santa” which parents can download and personalize is available on the Town website.
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The Flaherty Park Pickleball Courts, 1226 N. White St., will be closed for renovations beginning at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 7, and continuing through Monday, Dec. 19. Weather permitting, the courts will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
Renovations will include the installation of a shade structure, paddle rack, and memorial bench, along with new bleachers and fencing. Grading and concrete work will also be done to help ensure a smooth surface and positive water drainage.
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The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of developing a Public Transit Plan, and we need your input.
Wake Forest residents, business owners, and stakeholders are invited to complete the online survey. Available through Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
Community input will be used to help inform how the Town addresses public transit needs.
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Several local churches and community organizations will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a free, public celebration on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, 237 Friendship Chapel Road.
The evening’s theme will center around one of Dr. King’s messages: “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” In the spirit of the event theme, the Wake Forest MLK Committee will offer creative performance, writing, and art competitions for students in Wake Forest and Rolesville-area schools. Complete contest rules and information, along with the online contest entry form, are available on the Town website. The competition winners will be recognized during the January 19 program.
The Wake Forest MLK Committee is accepting monetary donations from the community to help fund the monetary prizes and scholarships awarded to the competition winners. The MLK Committee hopes to raise $10,000 by January 31, 2023. Area residents can support this worthy cause by submitting online donations via PayPal. For more information, email Margo Grant.
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The Wake Forest Police Department is reminding residents to stay with their vehicle while defrosting the windows after an idling, unlocked, and unattended car was stolen last week. According to police, the car was warming up in the driveway with the keys inside when it was taken.
Police are investigating the incident, along with a second stolen vehicle that was also unlocked and several overnight break-ins that involved unlocked vehicles and an unlocked garage. Targeted neighborhoods included St. Catherines, Dansforth, and Kitchin Farms. Police believe most of the incidents are related.
In the meantime, officials wish to remind the community that there are people out there willing to steal your car. As we return to the season of frost and snow, remember to stay with your vehicle while defrosting the windows. Also, be sure to remove your keys from the vehicle and lock the doors to avoid having it stolen.
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On Thursday, Jan. 12, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the Women's Business Alliance will present the Wake Forest Area Chamber's first ever women's leadership summit!
Join us at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for a powerhouse afternoon spent with keynote speakers Sloane Heffernan and Page Fehling. Our speakers will lead us in a conversation on how to tell your story in an effective way. Whether it be your personal story, your professional story or a story you want to create, you will walk away inspired on how to take that next step.
Tickets are $30 for chamber members and $40 for non-members and include:
- Lunch, provided by the Lemon Tree.
- Signature mocktails
- Photo opportunities
- A free gift to take home
- And plenty of networking!
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The Town of Wake Forest is asking residents to be patient as crews work to collect large amounts of leaves and other yard waste along local streets and in neighborhoods throughout our community.
The Town typically provides bi-monthly loose leaf collection service which calls for crews to service Wake Forest streets twice each month. Crews are running behind schedule due to the large volume of leaves and because all three vacuum trucks are out of service.
The Town’s vacuum equipment performs two primary functions: vacuuming and mulching. As leaves pass through the fan or impeller, they are ground into mulch. When items other than leaves, such as rocks, bricks, bottles, and tree limbs, attempt to pass through, the fan or motor can be damaged. The vacuum trucks were damaged during vacuuming operations by sticks, rocks, and other debris mixed in with leaves.
Residents can bag their leaves for collection but must use compostable paper yard waste bags (paper only, no plastic). Residents may also utilize reusable containers weighing no more than 50 pounds for yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, small limbs, and brush) collection.
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Wake Forest offers a variety of yuletide events guaranteed to deliver a hearty helping of holiday spirit for your entire family. You can stay current on all our holiday events by visiting and bookmarking the Christmas in Wake Forest portal on the Town website. It provides easy access to event dates, times, locations, and more, so “tis the season” to mark your calendars, so you don’t miss a thing.
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Transportation Planning 101
The Town of Wake Forest Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) addresses regional traffic issues from the surrounding areas as well as alternative transportation methods, such as buses, greenways, and trains.
Check out the video above on our Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) to learn more about how transportation projects are selected and funded. For more information, visit our Transportation Planning web page.
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They're back! If you regret missing your chance to order a custom “Wake Forest Fire Supports our Veterans & Troops” T-shirt with camouflage lettering, then you're in luck.
The Wake Forest Fire Department (WFFD) is once again selling these popular T-shirts for $25 each - while supplies last. Available in a variety of youth and adult sizes, the T-shirts may be ordered and purchased online via PayPal.
All proceeds from T-shirt sales will be donated to VFW Post 8466.
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WFTV 10 is off the air - except during live meeting broadcasts
WFTV 10 is off the air (except during live meeting broadcasts) due to malfunctioning equipment that controls scheduled video playback.
We have ordered a replacement but continue to experience delays due to supply chain issues.
Until the new equipment is delivered and installed, Channel 10 broadcasts will continue to be limited to live meetings.
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The following monthly meeting schedule is now in effect:
Board of Commissioners Work Session
First Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting
Second Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.
Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Third Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.
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The UDO combines into a single document the Town's zoning, subdivision, land use, grading, storm water management, and historic preservation regulations. It outlines the requirements for all development activity.
The UDO was first adopted in 2013, along with the Manual of Specifications, Standards and Design (MSSD). With the update and adoption of several comprehensive plans, including the 2022 Community Plan and 2021 Northeast Community Plan, as well as several other comprehensive plans that are underway, the UDO and MSSD must be updated to implement the policies and recommendations of the plans.
In addition to reflecting the goals and actions of the comprehensive plans, the UDO needs to maintain compliance with state, federal and case law, which are constantly evolving. Finally, the update will exam best practices and trending topics.
The update process will involve multiple steps and take approximately two years. The updated UDO and MSSD will set the development rules for Wake Forest.
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In 2021 the Town of Wake Forest launched a comprehensive public education campaign on proper recycling behaviors.
#RecycleRightWF introduced and emphasized a series of easy-to-understand messages aimed at simplifying the recycling process and improving the quality of materials residents place in their rollout recycling carts.
Thanks to the cooperation and efforts of our residents, we have recorded a significant decrease in recycling contamination over the past year. Great job!
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Despite our best efforts, there are still some who complain about not knowing what is happening in our community. That's why we thought it might be useful for Talbot the Town Crier to again offer his "olde school" overview of all the ways you can stay informed.
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The Town of Wake Forest is inviting individuals, families, churches and civic clubs to join the “Show Some Love, #KeepWFclean” campaign by picking up trash in their neighborhoods and along local streets and roadways. The initiative allows volunteers to pick up litter on a one-time or ongoing basis. Participants may also choose the area they wish to clean or request direction to high need areas around town.
To aid the effort, volunteers may reserve litter kits at no charge by completing the online reservation form. Each litter kit includes reflective vests, gloves, buckets, grabbers, trash bags, data collection sheets, hand sanitizer and litter education materials. A special thanks to B&W Hardware for donating the litter kits.
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Loose trash in trucks creates litter along Wake Forest roadways.
Help keep Wake Forest roadways clean by securing any trash in your truck bed. When you throw trash in the back of your truck, it inevitably blows out and becomes litter on the roadside. In fact, half of all litter is blown, not thrown! Roadside litter costs millions of dollars to remove, decreases property values and has a negative impact on tourism.
The NC Department of Public Safety reports that an even bigger problem is unsecured loads in the back of trucks. At high speeds, even large items can fly out and hurt or startle other drivers causing accidents. Put trash into built-in containers. Use tarps, cargo nets and tie-downs to secure any loads. #KeepWFclean
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If you have questions or comments about the Town of Wake Forest website or E-News, please contact Bill Crabtree by email or call 919-435-9421.
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