Saturday’s weather forecast is forcing the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department to move its Easter Egg Hunt inside the Joyner Park Community Center (JPCC), 701 Harris Road. The free event usually takes place throughout Joyner Park, but the threat of high winds and rain is forcing organizers to move the event indoors.
Presented by Bumgarner & Martin Orthodontics and Skylift Garage Doors, Saturday’s indoor Easter Egg Hunt will include a first-of-its-kind pre-party featuring inflatables, a DJ, balloon artists, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and more. Doors open at 10 a.m. with all the pre-party festivities taking place throughout the spacious JPCC gymnasium.
Beginning at 11 a.m., organizers will give away over 15,000 eggs containing prizes and candy at various stations throughout the JPCC gymnasium. The Egg-ceptional Egg Hunt (for children with disabilities) will take place at 11:45 a.m. upstairs in the JPCC Walker Room.
Children should bring their own baskets or bags. No registration is required, and all the festivities are free.
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The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department and Page 158 Books are partnering to offer a free program that encourages families to read while enjoying the greenways at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. StoryWalk in the Park is an innovative and interactive way for readers of all ages to enjoy a story and the outdoors at the same time. It’s also an effective way for young readers to practice active reading skills.
Now through April, pages from the children’s picture book, “Sometimes It’s Hard to Be Nice,” by Maggie C. Rudd, will be displayed on posts along the Joyner Park trails. As you stroll along the path, you will be directed to the next page in the story.
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The Town of Wake Forest and several local veterans’ organizations will resume their monthly flag-raising ceremonies in Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza on Monday, April 3, at 11 a.m.
The 45th Wake Forest Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony will honor Al Hinton, who served his nation in the US Navy during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Members of Hinton’s family have been invited to participate in the ceremony, which will include patriotic songs, special remarks, a memorial wreath laying and the ceremonial flag-raising. After raising the American flag, the Wake Forest Fire Department Honor Guard will raise the U.S. Navy service flag in recognition of the military branch in which Hinton served. Both flags will fly in Centennial Plaza throughout April.
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During the week of April 3, Town crews will repair the sidewalks along Heritage Greens Drive and Heritage Garden Street daily from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Signage and cones will be in place to manage traffic flow and safely direct motorists through the work areas. For the safety of work crews, drivers are encouraged to proceed with caution along these streets or take an alternate route.
Residents along Heritage Greens and Heritage Garden with in-ground irrigation systems are strongly encouraged to submit a major encroachment application to help ensure their systems are not impacted during the sidewalk repairs. In addition, it is the property owner’s responsibility to locate private utility lines and distribution networks, including irrigation and sprinkler systems.
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The Wake Forest Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed Friday, April 7, in observance of Good Friday. Curbside trash and recycling collection will not be affected by the holiday, but yard waste collection will be suspended.
During the week of April 3, the collection of all yard waste routes, including Friday’s route, will occur Monday-Thursday, April 3-6. To ensure that all neighborhoods are serviced properly, all residents are urged to leave their normal yard waste behind the curb by 7 a.m. Monday, April 3. As always, please avoid placing items on or near mailboxes, utility boxes, utility poles or other fixed objects.
The Wake Forest-Raleigh Express will operate as usual on Friday, April 7, but the Wake Forest Loop will not. The Loop will resume its normal schedule Monday, April 10.
Town offices will re-open April 10 at 8 a.m.
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While you're downtown, be sure to visit the array of downtown dining establishments or enjoy delicious food from a variety of food trucks that will be on site at each event.
The following food and dessert trucks will be onsite for the April 14 concert (Click on the name of the respective food/dessert truck to view their menu options): Fishin' Shrimp, The Flat Drum, Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Tacas Las Gringas, Lawrence & Perry BBQ, The Naked Empanada, VFW Chuck Wagon, Cousins Maine Lobster, Virgil's Jamaica, Lumpy's Ice Cream, Waves Shave Ice, and Cocoa Forte Cheesecakes.
The remaining 2023 concerts will feature Sleeping Booty on May 12, Love Tribe on June 9, The Brickhouse Band on July 14, Stone Age Romeos on August 11, and Crush on September 8.
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You’re invited to Forest Fest on Saturday, April 15, in historic downtown Wake Forest. Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. in partnership with the Town of Wake Forest, this free family-friendly event is scheduled from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – rain or shine – in several areas throughout the downtown area.
Celebrating the heart and history of Wake Forest, Forest Fest will include the Wake Forest Guild of Artists Spring Artisan Market inside the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.; extended hours by the Wake Forest Farmers Market along South Taylor Street; and a variety of local vendor and non-profit booths with educational activities along Brooks Street and in the Town Hall parking lot. The occasion will also offer various children’s activities along East Owen Avenue and live musical entertainment in Centennial Plaza.
In addition, the Urban Forestry Board (UFB) will again host the popular Arbor Day Tree Seedling Giveaway in the Town Hall parking lot, 301 S. Brooks St. During the seedling giveaway, UFB members, Town staff, and volunteers will distribute over 3,000 ginkgo, oak, and river birch seedlings to residents - while they last.
As a bonus, this year’s Forest Fest will also include an “Earth Day Shredding Event” sponsored by Civic Federal Credit Union. The drive-thru paper shredding event is scheduled from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (or until the two paper shredding trucks are full) in the parking lot of the Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave.
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The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is inviting residents to Cover the Cruiser to raise money for Special Olympics in North Carolina (SONC). The special event will take place Friday-Saturday, April 7-8, at the Wake Forest Sam’s Club, 11460 Royall Cotton Road.
Over those two days, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. each day, Wake Forest Police officers will be at Sam’s Club selling “Cover the Cruiser” stickers for $5 each. Anyone who purchases one or more stickers can write their name on the sticker(s), with the goal of completely covering a WFPD ‘cruiser.’
Officers will also be selling 2023 Special Olympics NC Torch Run T-shirts for $20. The T-shirts feature the WFPD badge in recognition of the department’s Top 10 ranking among NC law enforcement agencies for Special Olympics fundraising in 2022.
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The Public Art Commission is inviting residents to help shape the future of public art in Wake Forest by completing a brief online survey. From now through Friday, April 28, residents can complete the survey by visiting Engage Wake Forest and clicking on “Wake Forest Public Art.”
Designed to gauge community interest in public art, assess preferred types of art, and more, the questionnaire takes less than five minutes to complete.
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Plates are $10 each and will include generous portions of fried flounder, boiled potatoes, coleslaw, and hush puppies. No preorders will be accepted this year, but both eat in and drive thru take-out options will be available.
A special part of this year's Fish Fry will be a food drive to benefit the Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry. Throughout the day, the WFFD will collect non-perishable food items to help feed hungry people in our community.
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Wake Forest’s popular Six Sundays in Spring concert series returns to E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, on consecutive Sundays from April 30 through June 4. Sponsored by the Town of Wake Forest and ARTS Wake Forest, the performances get underway Sunday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. with local Beatles tribute band, “Revolution.”
Featuring free, live, outdoor entertainment, Six Sundays in Spring offers residents an opportunity to enjoy a variety of local and regional performers and an enriching cultural experience. The concerts will be offered rain or shine from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Joyner Park Amphitheater.
In addition to Revolution, other acts scheduled to perform this year include Big Bang Boom on May 7, Miss Mini and the Sandman Band on May 14, Conjunto Breve on May 21, The Magnificents on May 28, and Sensory Expressions on June 4.
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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 Monday, May 1. No registrations will be accepted on the day of the tournament.
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, email Sandy Brasseale.
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The Wake Forest PRCR Department is expanding its May Month of Fitness to include the annual 50-Mile Walking Challenge.
Residents (ages 11 and older) who accept the walking challenge commit to walk at least 50 miles in May and use a tracking card to record their progress. Walking locations may include neighborhoods, schools, churches, parks, and greenways - just to name a few.
There is no cost to participate, and online registration is open through Thursday, April 27 (search “Walking Challenge). Tracking cards will be emailed to all registered participants and available for pickup at Joyner Park Community Center (JPCC), 701 Harris Road.
Beginning Monday, April 3, registered participants can pick up their 2023 50-Mile Walking Challenge T-shirt at Joyner Park Community Center while supplies last.
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Trees may be nominated for their size, species, historic significance, personal meaning, community benefit or general notoriety – but they must be located within the Wake Forest town limits.
Trees may be nominated for their size, species, historic significance, personal meaning, community benefit or general notoriety – but they must be located within the Wake Forest town limits.
To submit your choice, visit our website, complete the nomination form, and upload a photo of your tree. Finalists will be selected by Town staff, then voted on by the community during the week of April 3.
The tree that receives the most votes will be announced as the winner during Forest Fest on Saturday, April 15. The person who submits the winning tree will receive a certificate crowning their tree as the Wake Forest 2023 Tree of the Year.
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Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) Victim Advocate Carly Simonton will introduce a new weekly podcast on Next Door Radio Friday, April 14, at 10:15 a.m.
Victims Vibe – Tales of Trials & Triumphs will explore the domestic violence, sexual assault, and other family-related issues Simonton encounters daily in support of victims and witnesses in her role as Victim Advocate. Her podcast is intended to give the community greater insight into the issues and challenges facing victims and witnesses of crime, as well as the resources available to them.
Simonton plans to interview a different guest during each week’s 30-minute podcast, including experts in public safety, law enforcement, and criminal justice issues.
As a special feature, she will devote one episode each month to answering questions submitted by area residents. Questions and topics for future episodes may be submitted online.
The guest for the April 14 episode will be announced later this month.
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Starting in April, the Town of Wake Forest will celebrate the return of warm weather by hosting an array of outdoor events and activities for the entire family. From our Easter Egg Hunt and Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremonies to Friday Night on White and Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park, spring and summer in Wake Forest are jam-packed with fun-filled outdoor events guaranteed to help you shake the winter blues.
To help inform area residents about all these events, the Town of Wake Forest offers the Wake Forest Outdoors portal on its website. The webpage provides detailed information about our area’s most popular spring and summer happenings, including the Easter Egg Hunt, Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremonies, Friday Night on White, Forest Fest, Six Sundays in Spring, Meet in the Street, Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park, Independence Day Celebration, and National Trails Day - just to name a few. Offering dates, times, locations, event descriptions and more, the portal is a useful resource for anyone planning to take advantage of Wake Forest’s array of warm weather activities.
Android and iPhone users can also have a handy pocket guide to these warm weather events by downloading the Town of Wake Forest app and using the app’s "Wake Forest Outdoors" function.
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The Wake Forest Technology Advisory Board (TAB) is inviting area elementary, middle, and high school students and their families to the 2023 Wake Forest STEM Saturday on Saturday, April 29. Presented by the Wireless Research Center, this free family networking event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road.
Celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, STEM Saturday will expose students in grades K-12 to a variety of STEM career options, while featuring STEM-related exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on learning activities.
STEM Saturday will also include several interactive booths where representatives from a variety of local businesses, schools, and organizations will engage with parents and students, share professional insights and experiences, and offer interesting demonstrations.
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The Joyner Park Community Center, Flaherty Park Community Center, and Alston-Massenburg Center are now operating according to the following schedules:
- Monday-Friday (6 a.m.-9 p.m.)
- Saturday (8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Sunday (1-5 p.m. March-August/Closed September-February)
- Monday-Friday (8 a.m.-9 p.m.)
- Saturday (8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Sunday (1-5 p.m. March-August/Closed September-February)
- Monday-Friday (Noon-8 p.m.)
- Saturday (8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Sunday (1-5 p.m. March-August/Closed September-February)
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The fee is $175, and the event includes space for up to 14 food vendors.
This year’s Fireworks Spectacular is scheduled for Monday, July 3, at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., but food trucks are required to arrive and set up between 3 and 4 p.m.
Participating food trucks are required to obtain all necessary Wake County permits, including a Mobile Food Unit (MFU) permit and ServSafe certificate. Each vendor must also complete a background screening and provide a copy of its Certificate of Insurance designating the Town of Wake Forest as an additional insured for the event date as well as proof of commercial auto insurance. A minimum of $1,000,000 in insurance is required.
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The Recreation Advisory Board will host a family-friendly 5K/3K walk/run as part of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 3, at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. Check-in on the day of the event starts at 7 a.m., and the races begin at 8 a.m.
The National Trails Day 5K/3K is a timed walk/run for children and adults. A loop of the paved trails throughout Joyner Park will comprise the 3.1-mile course for the 5K and 1.8 mile course for the 3K. Strollers are welcome but will be placed at the back of the pack to allow runners a clear start.
The entry fee for the 5K is $25 before March 31; $30 from April 1-May 14; $35 from May 15-June 1; and $40 the day before and day of the race. The entry fee for the 3K is $20 before March 31; $25 April 1-May 14; $30 May 15-June 1; and $35 the day before and day of the race. Please note: Registrations will be accepted on the day of the event. Everyone who registers before May 15 will receive a race T-shirt.
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The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will present Memorial Day Remembrance Walls of Honor throughout May at E. Carroll Joyner Park, Alston-Massenburg Center, and Flaherty Park. In recognition of the service and sacrifice of women and men in uniform, these Walls of Honor will bear the names of as many as 500 veterans submitted by members of our community.
Through Friday, April 14, the PRCR Department will accept submissions, including the names of veterans, both living and deceased, along with the military branch in which they served, for inclusion on each wall. Please note: Names included on the Walls of Honor last year will be included again this year and do not need to be resubmitted.
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The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre opened in November 2013 by encouraging visitors to “Imagine the Possibilities.” Later this year, the Renaissance Centre (RC) will commemorate its 10-year anniversary with a series of concerts, performances, and special events designed to highlight its impact as “the place” our community gathers to celebrate and enjoy the arts.
The RC’s Realizing the Possibilities Celebration Series gets underway with The Malpass Brothers concert on July 22 and continues with two Murder Mystery Dinners on August 12, the Celebration of the Arts on October 7, Marcus Anderson in concert on November 18, and four performances of the Celtic Angels December 15-17.
The series then extends into 2024 with a stage show in January, Black History Month performances in February, the Wake Forest Film Festival in March, and a concert featuring The Drifters in April. Additional information about these special events will be provided in the coming days.
In the meantime, everyone who has ever attended an event or participated in an activity at the RC is invited to help celebrate its 10-year anniversary and commemorate its impact on our community by visiting the RC website and using the online form to share favorite memories and photos from their RC experience(s).
Photos and comments will be compiled and shared on the RC website and social media. Everyone who submits at least one photo and recounts a favorite experience will be eligible to win tickets to events in the “Realizing the Possibilities” Celebration Series.
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WFTV 10 is the Town of Wake Forest's government access channel serving the residents of Wake Forest. Produced by the Town's Communications Department, WFTV 10 is available to residents and businesses that subscribe to Spectrum Cable TV service. For those who don't subscribe to Spectrum Cable, WFTV 10 is also provided in real-time streaming video and as a function of the Town App.
WFTV 10 Schedule
Board of Commissioners work sessions are broadcast live on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Regular meetings are broadcast live on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., then re-broadcast daily throughout the remainder of the month at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.
Planning Board meetings are broadcast live on the second Tuesday of each month, then re-broadcast daily the following week at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.
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Hard copies of the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (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 March through August 2023.
Program registration is underway online and in-person at JPCC, FPCC, and AMC during normal business hours. Online registration closes two business days before the start of a program.
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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.
During the winter, the Farmers Market operates Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon along South Taylor Street behind the Wake Forest Town Hall.
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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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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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You have received this e-mail because you are subscribed to E-News – part of the Town of Wake Forest’s e-mail subscription service. E-News keeps you up-to-date on Town of Wake Forest news, information, events and services. If you believe you have been subscribed in error, or would like to cancel your subscription to The Week Ahead, you may unsubscribe below.
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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