February 16, 2024

Holding Park Inclusive Playground set to open March 2

The long-awaited, much anticipated opening of the Holding Park Inclusive Playground, 133 W. Owen Ave., will occur Saturday, March 2, at 7 a.m. The playground will be open daily from dawn to dusk.

Due to the high volume of attendees expected throughout the opening weekend, free parking will be available in several lots on the campus of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) and along several side streets in the vicinity of Holding Park. Visitors are encouraged to make plans with family members and friends to carpool, use rideshare services, or take advantage of the free Wake Forest Loop (Saturday only) which offers stops less than a block away from the park.

Designed to provide children of all abilities with a safe and fun place to play, inclusive playgrounds offer a sensory-rich play experience for every cognitive level and developmental stage.

The Holding Park Inclusive Playground’s thoughtful design includes accommodations for wheelchair users’ to entrances and benches, accessibility enhancements to walkways, and a perimeter fence for added safety.

Public meetings on proposed Skate Park, Pump Track & Basketball Court February 21 & March 2, online survey now available

In December 2023, the Town of Wake Forest purchased 8.3 acres of land adjacent to Devon Square and E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. On February 21 and March 2, the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will host public meetings to solicit input from residents concerning the proposed construction of a skate park, pump track, and basketball court on this property.

The meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21, will begin at 6 p.m. in the Wake Forest Town Hall Ground Floor Meeting Room, 301 S. Brooks St. The room is most easily accessed via Town Hall’s Taylor Street entrance.

The Saturday, March 2, meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in the Walker Room at the Joyner Park Community Center (JPCC), 701 Harris Road. The Walker Room is located on the second floor of JPCC.

Both meetings will have the same format and content. Each will include a brief presentation, followed by an open discussion where attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share suggestions. Town staff, members of the PRCR Advisory Board, and representatives from Kimley Horn will be on hand to answer questions and gather public input.

In the meantime, residents and stakeholders are invited to visit Engage Wake Forest and provide their input via an online survey. The survey consists of seven questions and takes less than five minutes to complete. 

Registration underway for Spring Pickleball Tourney

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department and the Wake Forest Pickleball Club will host the 2024 Wake Forest Spring Pickleball Tournament Friday-Sunday, May 3-5, at the Flaherty Park Pickleball Courts and Tennis Complex, 1226 N. White St.

The entry fee is $45 per player, plus $10 for each additional event.

Complete tournament details, including registration information, are available on the Town website. The registration deadline is 10 p.m. Monday, April 22. No registrations will be accepted on the day of the tournament.

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, email Sandy Brasseale.

Tickets still available for 2024 Wake Forest Film Festival March 1-2

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., will host the 2024 Wake Forest Film Festival on Friday and Saturday, March 1-2. Tickets to the two-day event are $20 and can be purchased online, in person at the RC Box Office, or by calling 919-435-9458.

Earlier this year, the Renaissance Centre invited filmmakers from our community and around the world to submit their vibrant, diverse, and original works and become a part of the 2024 film festival. Altogether, 81 films were submitted for consideration and 18 were selected to be featured during this year’s event.

Click on the playbill cover to view the complete schedule, including movie titles and times, or visit the RC website.

NCFST Mobile Market returns February 22

Due to popular demand, the Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) and Ripe for Revival have agreed to bring their mobile grocery store to Wake Forest on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 3-5 p.m.

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. (across from the Northern Regional Center) on Thursday, Feb. 22, and again on Thursday, March 14.

Please Note - The second visit in March (typically on the fourth Thursday) has been scheduled for Monday, March 25, due to the Good Friday Holiday.

Open to everyone, the pay-what-you-can mobile grocery store makes fresh and local produce, proteins, dairy, eggs, and other food products accessible and affordable to all, regardless of their budget.



At checkout, shoppers will be given a suggested total. Shoppers can then pay the full amount, a portion of that amount, or nothing at all. Both cash and card payments are accepted, along with Android/Apple Pay.

"Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart" coming to Alston-Massenburg Center & Wake Forest Renaissance Centre February 24

Mike Wiley Productions will present two free performances of “Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart” in Wake Forest on Saturday, Feb. 24. The first performance will take place at 11 a.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., while the second show is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.

“A Game Apart” provides a glimpse of Jackie Robinson’s life during a bygone era of separate and unequal locker rooms, whites-only hotels, and restaurants with only a back door for colored athletes to enter.

Witness the hopeless humiliation of a star player who was showered with adulation on the field and became a second-hand citizen when he walked off the diamond. Meet Jackie’s compatriots fighting the same battles between the end zones, inside the ring, and around the track.

2024 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo March 16

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) will host the 2024 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo Saturday, March 16, from 1-4 p.m. at Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road. The event is free and open to everyone.

Over 20 area minority and women-owned businesses are expected to participate in the expo designed to increase recognition and opportunities for minority and women business owners in our community.



Local businesses already scheduled to participate include Aging Care Matters, Ataraxis Travel, Body20, Cryo Wake Forest Recovery & Wellness Spa, Kwench Juice Café, Remarkable Reflexology LLC, and Well Kept Brands.

Comic Book & Toy Expo coming to Flaherty Park Community Center March 16

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is partnering withPlay4Life Comics to host a Comic Book & Toy Expo Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St.

Free and open to everyone, the expo will feature over 20 vendors of your favorite pop culture nostalgia offering for sale vintage comics, rare action figures, popular Pokemon cards, and more.

The PRCR Department has scheduled future Comic Book & Toy Expos on June 19 and November 9. For more information, email Community Center Supervisor Grayson Pridgen.

Registration open through Wednesday for “Battle in the Forest” Esports gaming tournament

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will host an online Esports gaming tournament featuring the game "Street Fighter 6" on Saturday, Feb. 24. The tournament will serve as a qualifier for the BODYARMOR State Games FGC Gohon Kumite eSports Tournament in March. Results from this tournament will determine participant positioning in the BODYARMOR tournament.



Open to players ages 13 and older, the online tournament is free to play on all consoles and PCs and will be live streamed on Twitch.tv. Registration is open through Wednesday, Feb. 21.



Participants will compete in a one-on-one, single-day, double-elimination tournament to run in conjunction with "Bull City Gaming” and BODYARMOR State Games. The matches will be best of three, while the championship match will be best of five.

2023 Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive Recap

In 2020 the Town of Wake Forest launched Wake Forest Cares to highlight Town-sponsored initiatives that address various community needs.

To help raise awareness and money for those initiatives, the Town introduced the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive. Each year, throughout November and December, the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive invites area residents and businesses to contribute to Helping Others by Providing Electricity (HOPE), Northern Community Food Security Team, Shop with a Cop, Wake Forest Firefighters Foundation, and the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Scholarship Program.

The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to announce that last year’s donation drive raised over $26,000. One hundred percent of the donated funds will be distributed among our initiatives as follows (based on contributor designations):

• Helping Others by Providing Electricity (HOPE) - $900
• Northern Community Food Security Team - $809
• Shop with a Cop - $22,273
• Wake Forest Firefighters Foundation - $1,291
• Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Scholarship Program - $905

The Town of Wake Forest wishes to thank everyone who contributed to the 2023 Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive. Thank you for making a difference!

Town announces band lineup for 2024 Friday Night on White

Friday Night on White (FNOW) returns to downtown Wake Forest on April 12 and continues the second Friday night of each month through September 13. This year’s FNOW promises to be bigger and better than ever thanks to a power-packed lineup featuring several of our area’s most popular bands.

Our 2024 concert series includes The Magic Pipers (April 12); Irresistible Groove (May 10); Bounce! Party Band (June 14); The Brickhouse Band (July 12); Sleeping Booty (August 9); and Crush (September 13). Each concert is scheduled from 6-9 p.m.

Nominations accepted through Saturday for 2024 Black History Month Honor Roll

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) is celebrating Black History Month in 2024 by offering residents the chance to recognize local African Americans who have made a difference enhancing and improving the quality of life in their community, family, church, business, organization, or other group.

Through Saturday, Feb. 17, the HRC will accept online nominations for current and former Wake Forest residents to be recognized for their contributions.

Wake Forest residents, former residents, and business and community stakeholders that identify as African American are eligible. Nominees should demonstrate leadership and integrity and be respected by their peers. In addition, potential nominees may be recognized for one or more of the following actions:

• Helping neighbors and fellow Wake Forest citizens.
• Demonstrating hospitality and/or concern for others.
• Supporting local businesses and charities.
• Promoting a sense of community in their neighborhood and beyond.
• Serving the community through their school, church, business, or community organization.

Register for Adult Co-Rec Kickball

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is accepting team registrations for Adult Co-Rec Kickball throughout February.

The entry fee is $325 per team, and the league is limited to participants ages 18 and older. Teams will play one or two games each week on weeknights and Sunday afternoons from late March through late May.

Anyone interested in participating who does not have a team can sign up as a free agent, then be assigned to a team in need of players. For more information, contact Recreation Specialist KP Kilpatrick at 919-435-9457. 

Men’s Spring Softball registration continues through February

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department is accepting team registrations for Men’s Spring Softball throughout February. The entry fee is $550 per team.

Online registration is available. Registration information is also available at the Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road.

Two Men’s Spring Softball Leagues will be offered – one competitive and the other recreational. Each league is limited to Class E teams and lower, and you must be at least 18 years old to participate. League play is scheduled from mid-March through late May, and games will be played on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Anyone interested in participating who does not have a team can sign up as a free agent, then be assigned to a team in need of players. For more information, contact Recreation Specialist KP Kilpatrick at 919-435-9457. 

Youth Baseball, Softball & T-Ball registration continues

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will accept online and in-person registrations throughout February for youth baseball, softball, and T-ball for boys and girls ages 5-17 according to the following schedule:

• February 1-7 – Wake Forest residents only
• February 8-29 - Wake Forest residents & non-Wake Forest residents
• March 1-8 – Late registration, including a $15 late fee.

Online registration is available, along with team placement and draft information and league rules. In-person registrations are also accepted at the Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road.



The fee is $60 for Wake Forest residents and $100 for non-Wake Forest residents. A participant’s eligibility is determined by his or her age on April 30, 2024, and a birth certificate is required for new participants.

Wake Forest Downtown seeking 2024 Forest Fest vendors & nonprofits

Forest Fest returns to downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. (WFD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to champion the economic health, growth, and vitality of downtown Wake Forest, Forest Fest is a family friendly event celebrating the heart of Wake Forest, where history is cherished and nature thrives.

WFD is now accepting applications from vendors and nonprofit organizations that wish to participate in this year’s Forest Fest. Food trucks have already been secured for this event, and no additional food vendors are needed.

As interest in Forest Fest continues to grow, WFD is committed to securing vendors and nonprofits whose missions and efforts align with the purpose and spirit of the event. As a result, participating vendors and nonprofit organizations must provide products, services, education, or activities that relate directly to the history of Wake Forest or the outdoors.

2024 Road Resurfacing Project continues

A major road rehabilitation and resurfacing project targeting over 20 Wake Forest streets and roadways is underway.

The 2024 Road Resurfacing Project will consist of concrete work which will begin in mid-January, and asphalt work that is scheduled to start in March (weather permitting). The initiative will involve full depth patching, roadway repairs, and repaving, along with the replacement and repair of curb and gutter. Several black ADA ramps will also be replaced with yellow mats per national standards.

Fulford & Jones, a subcontractor of Fred Smith Company working on behalf of the Town of Wake Forest, is performing concrete work weekdays from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. along the following streets:

• East Dunpatrick Place
• Guinness Place
• St. Catherines Drive
• West Dunpatrick Place
• Wahlbrink Drive
• Barley Green Street
• Green Edge Trail
• Green Mountain Drive
• Groveton Trail
• Jaffiley Court
• North Franklin Street

Spring & Summer RecConnect now available

The March-August 2024 edition of RecConnect, the Wake Forest PRCR Department's spring and summer program guide, is now available.

Hard copies of the PRCR Program Guide are now 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.

RecConnect includes information about all programs, classes, special events, sports programs, and registrations offered by the Wake Forest PRCR Department.

Registration is open for Wake Forest residents and non-Wake Forest residents. 

Wake Forest ROCKS!

A lively community, with heartwarming service and rich recreation opportunities are just a few of the reasons why Wake Forest ROCKS!

Wake Forest Disc Golf Course

Wake Forest's new disc golf course is open year-round for free use to the public Monday-Friday from 4 p.m.-dusk, and Saturdays and Sundays from dawn to dusk.

The rules for disc golf are similar to traditional golf by way of scoring and etiquette. Standing on what is generally a five-foot by 12-foot concrete tee pad, a player aims their disc towards a disc golf basket that’s placed from distances between 150 to 570 feet from the tee pads.

These discs differ from non-competitive discs in that they have a thinner profile and a sharper outer edge to increase aerodynamics and distance. Different discs are used for different parts of the course.

Just like with mainstream golf, the idea is to complete the course in the fewest throws.

Connections...100 Years of Wake Forest History on sale

The Town of Wake Forest is offering Connections…100 Years of Wake Forest History for $30 each.



Authored by Wake Forest resident and “Wake Forest Gazette” Publisher Carol Pelosi, “Connections... 100 Years of Wake Forest History” was written and released in 2009 to commemorate Wake Forest's Centennial Celebration.

A treasure trove of pictures, original artwork, and stories recording the people, places, and events of Wake Forest’s first 100 years, the photo-filled hardcover book chronicles the town’s rich history and details its growth from a small college town to a thriving community of more than 50,000 residents.

Connections may be purchased online with credit card or debit card or in person at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., with cash, check, credit card or debit card. After ordering your copy, stop by the Information Desk in the lobby of Town Hall at your convenience to pick it up.

Engraved bricks make great gifts!

The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to offer you the opportunity to purchase an engraved brick paver.

The 4" x 8" engraved brick pavers cost just $125 each and once ordered become a permanent part of the Wake Forest Town Hall Centennial Plaza - to be viewed and enjoyed by residents and visitors for years to come.

Located along South Brooks Street, Centennial Plaza is the focal point of Wake Forest's municipal campus and a gateway to town hall.

Here's your chance to join over 100 local businesses, civic clubs, residents and former residents that have already purchased a personalized brick. Engraved bricks are a unique way to honor loved ones, commemorate special events and recognize civic clubs and social groups, youth athletic teams, businesses and not-for-profit groups.

#RecycleRightWF

In 2021, the Town of Wake Forest launched #RecycleRightWF, a comprehensive public education campaign on proper recycling behaviors. Through a series of easy-to-understand messages, the initiative attempted to simplify the recycling process and improve the quality of materials residents place in their rollout recycling carts.

Thanks to the invaluable cooperation and efforts of residents, Wake Forest recorded a significant decrease in recycling contamination over the next year.



In recent months, however, officials have noticed a steady increase in the number of contaminated recyclables in recycling carts throughout Wake Forest. As a result, the Town is reintroducing #RecycleRightWF.

The effort will address contamination by providing Wake Forest households with direct mail pieces, social media messaging, and concentrated feedback. Messaging will consistently remind residents who recycle to “Stick with These 6” - plastic bottles, jugs, and jars; metal cans; paper; and cardboard, and “Never These 9” - plastic bags, food waste, cups, to-go containers, paper towels, tiny things, plastic packaging, Styrofoam, and gloves/masks.

Northern Wake Senior Center - Adding Shine to Your Golden Years

The Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave., offers adults age 55 and older a full schedule of recreational activities, such as aerobics, line dancing, ballroom dancing, wood carving, painting, and craft making.



The center also provides several social events each month, as well as educational classes on subjects including computers, ceramics, and clay.

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.

Over 6,000 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.

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.