October 6, 2023

Renaissance Centre to host Saturday's Community Celebration of the Arts

The Wake Forest Public Art Commission (PAC), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department, and ARTS Wake Forest are inviting residents to a special Community Celebration of the Arts this Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.

Free and open to the public, this family-friendly event will include food, music, and a variety of arts activities for children of all ages.



The occasion will also highlight the public art murals and sculptures installed throughout Wake Forest and included in the Virtual Public Art Tour available on the Town website.

We want to hear from you! You're invited to complete accessibility survey as part of ADA Transition Plan Update

Furthering its commitment to accessibility, the Town of Wake Forest is in the process of updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan.

The ADA Transition Plan is a comprehensive approach to improving access for individuals with disabilities to Town facilities, parks, programs, services, activities, and events. Aligning with Goal 3 of the Town’s Strategic Plan, it is an important part of Wake Forest’s continued efforts to welcome and serve all members of the community.

Citizen input is a crucial part of the ADA Transition Plan process. Individuals with disabilities, along with patrons, family members, caregivers, organizations, and agencies that support individuals with disabilities, and interested individuals are invited to visit Engage Wake Forest and complete the Community Engagement Survey to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences on accessibility to Town programs, services, activities, and facilities. The survey is available through Thursday, Nov. 30, and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

Town of Wake Forest Job Fair Wednesday

If you want to build a career where you make a difference every day, then the Town of Wake Forest wants you to join its team.

Wake Forest will share information with interested jobseekers during a Job Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.

Several Town departments will be represented, including Police, Public Works, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources - just to name a few.

The job fair will focus on open full- and part-time positions, so attendees are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume.

The Town of Wake Forest provides competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunities for advancement. If you’re interested in growing a career and serving your community, then consider becoming part of our team.

For more information, email Benefits & Compensation Manager Mitzi Franklin.

Mental Wellness & Self Care Fair October 21

The Town of Wake Forest and several community partners will host a Mental Wellness & Self Care Fair Saturday, Oct. 21, from 1-4 p.m., at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.

Free and open to the public, the event is designed to raise awareness about mental wellness and share information about programs, services, and resources available to loved ones who may be suffering from untreated or undertreated mental illness.

Led by Commissioner Nick Sliwinski, the fair will feature presentations on a variety of topics by experts from several local mental health organizations. Several vendors will also be onsite from organizations, agencies, and non-profits that provide services in the areas of mental health, health care, social services, and more.



This event is open to all – whether you need help or want to know how to support those who do.

NCFST's pay-what-you-can mobile market returns Thursday

The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) is partnering with Ripe for Revival to offer a monthly mobile grocery store on the second Thursday of each month from 3-5 p.m. across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave. Offering fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy from local and regional farmers on a pay-what-you-can scale, the NCFST Mobile Market will return to 350 E. Holding Ave. Thursday, Oct. 12.

The mobile market will also be onsite at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre during the Mental Wellness & Self Care Fair on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 1-4 p.m.

The pay-what-you-can mobile market makes fresh and local produce, proteins, dairy, eggs, and other food products accessible and affordable to all, regardless of their budget. When shopping, there are some limits on the amount of protein, dairy and eggs a consumer can purchase, but no limits on produce. Shoppers can pay any portion of the suggested total at the checkout. Both cash and card payments are accepted - but no checks.

Warm Your Hearts with Coats Drive starts Monday

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will accept new and/or clean, gently used coats and jackets October 9-29 as part of its annual Warm Your Hearts with Coats Drive. Coats of all shapes and sizes are welcome and may be dropped off at one of the following PRCR facilities (during normal operating hours):

• Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St. (Monday-Friday, Noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sunday)
• Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St. (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sunday)
• Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road (Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sunday)

The Warm Your Hearts with Coats Drive is an easy, yet effective way for area residents to pass along coats and jackets they no longer need.

All donated coats will be distributed to children and teens in need of a winter jacket on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Alston-Massenburg Center (AMC). For more information, contact AMC Supervisor James Triplette.

2023 Board of Commissioners Candidates Forum available online & on WFTV 10

The Wake Forest Area Chamber's Government Affairs Committee hosted the 2023 Board of Commissioners Candidates Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.

All six candidates vying for the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners (BOC) participated, including Tom Ballman, Ben Clapsaddle, Faith Cross, Joe Kimray, Jim Thompson, and Adam Wright. Each was given the opportunity to briefly explain his or her views on local issues and answer questions relevant to their professional resumes.

Wake Forest residents that subscribe to Spectrum Cable TV service can now watch the forum (provided above) on Wake Forest TV 10 (WFTV 10) daily through Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 7) at 7 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. Area residents may also view the forum in streaming video on demand on the homepage and Voter & Election Information page of the Town website.

Today's the deadline to apply to Wake Forest advisory boards

You can make a difference in our community by applying for an upcoming vacancy on a Town advisory board. The boards were established to give residents input into what happens in the community and advise the Board of Commissioners (BOC) on matters that affect citizens and their town government.

Applications are being accepted through Friday, Oct. 6, for appointments to the following boards and commissions: 

• Board of Adjustment (BOA)
• Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
• Human Relations Council (HRC)
• Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Advisory Board
• Planning Board
• Public Art Commission (PAC)
• Technology Advisory Board (TAB)
• Urban Forestry Board (UFB)

Attention 11th & 12th Graders

Area 11th and 12th graders are also invited to apply to serve as representatives on every advisory board, except the Planning Board. Each has at least one seat designated for a youth representative. To qualify, the youth member must be a Wake Forest resident enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade.

The online advisory board application is available on the Town website.

Police Department Turkey Drive continues

The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is accepting monetary donations through Saturday, Nov. 18, as part of its 17th Annual Turkey Drive. Area residents can support this worthy cause by donating online.

Cash and checks written to the Wake Forest Police Department are also accepted. Anyone wishing to contribute cash or check to this year’s Turkey Drive should email Officer K. Abshire. All monetary donations will be used to purchase additional turkeys.

On Saturday, Nov. 18, the Police Department will accept monetary donations and donations of frozen turkeys at the WFPD Main Station, 225 S. Taylor St., from 9 a.m. until noon.

Police officers and staff will distribute the turkeys while they last on Monday, Nov. 20, from 7:30-9:30 a.m., at the Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry, 149 E. Holding Ave.

Halloween Boo Bash October 26 at Joyner Park

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host the 2023 Halloween Boo Bash Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4:30-7 p.m. at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.

The Halloween Boo Bash is a free, family-oriented festival for children ages 12 and younger. This year's festivities will include a variety of ghostly games and activities, and free pumpkin giveaways - while supplies last. Costumes are optional, but best costumes may be featured on the Town website and social media pages.

The following food and dessert trucks will be onsite during this year's Boo Bash: Lumpy's, Crazy Beans Coffee, Crumbstruction, Mamma Churros, Kettle Corn, and Smith's Smokehouse & Smoothies.

Halloween is (always) October 31

On a related note, the Town of Wake Forest often receives inquiries concerning when families should go trick-or-treating.

Since Halloween is always October 31, that’s the day the Town encourages families to go door-to-door in costumes for candy and fun – regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.

The Wake Forest Police Department also recommends that little ghosts and goblins trick-or-treat between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m.

Free Paper Shredding Event November 13

The Town of Wake Forest and Skylift Garage Doors will co-sponsor a drive-thru paper shredding event on Monday, Nov. 13, from noon-4 p.m. – or until the two paper shredding trucks are full. Free and open to the public, the shred event will take place rain or shine in the parking lot of Flaherty Park, 1226 N. White St.

The occasion will offer area residents and businesses the opportunity to protect themselves from identity theft and dispose of confidential documents in an environmentally responsible manner.

All paper will be shredded on-site, then recycled. Participants are urged to help reduce contamination by removing all non-paper materials in advance, such as plastic binders, plastic folders, and metal tabs. In addition, items that can damage the equipment will not be accepted, such as wet or moist paper, hanging file folders, books (hardback or paperback), credit cards, photographs, film, DVDs, and other metals (other than staples or paper clips), boxes, batteries, computer disks or other electronic media. Please note: Junk mail does not need to be shredded. Residents and businesses can recycle junk mail in their Town-issued recycling cart. 

Bi-monthly loose leaf collection is underway

The Town of Wake Forest’s annual loose leaf collection program began Monday, Oct. 2, and continues through Friday, March 8, 2024. Residents are reminded that the Town provides bi-monthly loose leaf collection service which calls for crews to service Wake Forest streets twice each month.

When preparing leaves and yard waste for collection, residents are urged to follow these guidelines:



• Rake leaves into piles behind the curb, so they do not interfere with traffic or drainage.
• Do not mix sticks, rocks, pinecones, limbs, or other debris with loose leaves. The Town’s vacuum equipment is only designed to pick up loose leaves. Your cooperation will help prevent mechanical breakdowns and collection delays.
• Place limbs and brush behind the curb in a pile separate from leaves.
• Limbs and brush larger than one inch but smaller than six inches in diameter must be no longer than six feet. Limbs and logs larger than six inches in diameter must not exceed two feet in length. Logs must not exceed 10 inches in diameter.
• Keep brush away from other objects such as, fences, walls, water meters, utility poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, and cars.
• Keep debris free of animal waste. Animal waste should be bagged and placed in rollout garbage carts.

WFD & PAC issue Downtown Boulevard Banner “Call for Artists”

Wake Forest Downtown (WFD), Inc. and the Wake Forest Public Art Commission (PAC) are seeking local artists to submit vibrant original artwork for seasonal boulevard banners in downtown Wake Forest.

The banners will be displayed along South White Street from early January through late March 2024. The banners may also be displayed at other times as determined by the Downtown Development Director.

Selections will be chosen by a committee comprised of members of the PAC and WFD, Inc. and selected artists will receive a $100 honorarium.



The application deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 31. Selected artists will be notified by Wednesday, Nov. 15.

NCRPA names KP Kilpatrick winner of 2023 Vision Award

Athletics Recreation Specialist KP Kilpatrick (photo left) has been named the 2023 winner of the NC Recreation & Park Association (NCRPA) Vision Award.

Presented annually by the NCRPA, the honor is presented to a full-time athletics staff member who works and collaborates with other staff and or departments to accomplish a project or program, or impact how a facility operates.

The award was presented to Kilpatrick during the September 26 NCRPA Athletic Directors Workshop in Asheville, NC.



A Town of Wake Forest employee since April 2018, Kilpatrick graduated with a Master in Sport Management from Middle Tennessee State University and a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from NC A&T University.

Talk With Me Tuesday - Holding Park Inclusive Playground Update

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department shared updates on the Holding Park Inclusive Playground during special “Talk With Me Tuesday” online meetings Tuesday, Sept. 26, at noon and 6 p.m. The noon session is provided above. 

Hosted by PRCR Director Ruben Wall, Specialized Programs & Inclusion Specialist Olivia Atkinson, and Parks & Recreation Maintenance Manager Randy Hoyle, the online sessions included an update on construction (now scheduled for completion in December) and an overview of the facility layout and fencing. For more information, email Olivia Atkinson.

Get you free 2023-24 Wake Forest wall calendar

The Town of Wake Forest is again making it easy for residents to keep track of popular Town events with its new 14-month wall calendar. Now available in the lobby of Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and online, the free calendar offers a comprehensive listing of Town events scheduled between November 2023 and December 2024, along with the various holidays the Town will observe during that period.

The calendar is filled with dozens of photos featuring area residents enjoying local festivities ranging from Friday Night on White and the annual Easter Egg Hunt to the Independence Day Celebration and Lighting of Wake Forest – plus everything in between.

Town staff will distribute the calendars while they last at upcoming community events. In addition to Town Hall, calendars are available at other Town facilities and Wake Forest locations, including Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road; the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.; Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., and Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave. – just to name a few. 

Town of Wake Forest app

The Town of Wake Forest (TOWF) offers a free smartphone app that provides direct access to useful information about Wake Forest and encourages two-way communication between the Town and its residents.

Since the app's introduction in 2012, thousands of Android and iPhone users have downloaded the app allowing them instant access to important information about Town programs, services and events.

Among its many functions, the TOWF app allows iPhone and Android users to:

• Receive breaking news messages;
• Utilize “SeeClickFix” for prompt action on street maintenance, lights, potholes and graffiti, using the app to send a photo and exact location of the problem;
• Access information about Town-sponsored events and events at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre;
• View Town job openings;
• Utilize the “Waste Wizard;”
• Access contact information for every Town department.

Android and iPhone users can access and install the correct version of the TOWF app by scanning the appropriate QR code below.

Rules for political signs explained

The Town of Wake Forest often receives inquiries from residents and candidates concerning rules for political signs. Although temporary political signs advertising candidates or issues are permitted, a combination of state law and municipal code regulates how political signs may be displayed within Wake Forest. To ensure these conditions are met, adherence is required to the following regulations establishing the duration, size, placement, and illumination of political signs:

Duration 

• Private Property – can be installed now with prior permission of the owner.
• State Roads – can be installed no earlier than 30 days before the November 7 election (Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023).
• Political signs must be removed by Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 - within 10 days after the election. 

PRCR's RecConnect available, program registration underway

The September 2023-February 2024 edition of RecConnect is now available. Hard copies of the PRCR Program Guide are available at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.; Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.; Joyner Park Community Center (JPCC), 701 Harris Road; Flaherty Park Community Center (FPCC), 1226 N. White St.; and Alston-Massenburg Center (AMC), 416 N. Taylor St.

Check out RecConnect for complete details on recreational programs, events, and activities for all age groups, including preschool, youth, and adult, scheduled from September 2023 through February 2024.

Wake Forest Farmers Market

The Wake Forest Farmers Market is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating our community about the value of local farms and the importance of local food systems.

From October-March, the Farmers Market operates Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon along South Taylor Street behind the Wake Forest Town Hall.