Approved Special Events

April 2024

Friday Night on White
Downtown Wake Forest 
Friday, April 12, 6-9 pm
South White Street from Elm Avenue to Owen Avenue will be closed at 1 pm
South White Street from East Owen Avenue to Wait Avenue will be closed at 2 pm along with East Owen Avenue
All roads will reopen around 11:30 pm
Contact Jennifer Herbert

Wake Forest Historic Half
Saturday, April 20, 2024: 7:30-11:30 am
“Share the Road” event with Associated Road & Greenway Impacts: 5:30 am – 12:30 pm; refer to event website for more information.
This is a Community Event.
Contact Brent Dorenkamp

Forest Fest
Downtown Wake Forest
Saturday, April 20, 9 am-2 pm
East Owen Avenue and South Brooks Street from Elm Avenue to just beyond Owen Avenue will be closed from 7 am-4 pm 
This is a Community Event.
Contact Jennifer Herbert

May 2024

National Day of Prayer
Wake Forest Town Hall Plaza
Thursday, May 2, 2024: 12:30 – 2 pm
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Scott Graham 

Meet In The Street
Saturday, May 4, 2024: 10 am – 4 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 5 am – 5 pm; South White Street from Wait Avenue to Elm Avenue; East Owen Avenue from South White to South Brooks Streets; South Brooks Street from East Jones Avenue to Elm Avenue
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Liz Simpers 

Wakefield Rotary Club Duck Splash
East Jones Avenue between Brooks Street and South Taylor Street
Saturday, May 4, 2024: Noon-1 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 7 am – 3 pm; East Jones Avenue between Brooks Street and South Taylor Street
This is a Community Event.
Contact Wendy Briley 

Friday Night on White
Downtown Wake Forest 
Friday, May 10, 6-9 pm
South White Street from Elm Avenue to Owen Avenue will be closed at 1 pm
South White Street from East Owen Avenue to Wait Avenue will be closed at 2 pm along with East Owen Avenue
All roads will reopen around 11:30 pm
Contact Jennifer Herbert

NC Brewery Running Series 5K Fun Run @ Blackbird Brewery
“Share the Road” event with Associated Road & Greenway Impacts: 9:00 am – 12:45 pm; refer to event website for more information.
Saturday, May 15, 2024: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Jeffrey Lohmeyer 

Friday Night on White
Downtown Wake Forest 
Friday, June 14, 6-9 pm
South White Street from Elm Avenue to Owen Avenue will be closed at 1 pm
South White Street from East Owen Avenue to Wait Avenue will be closed at 2 pm along with East Owen Avenue
All roads will reopen around 11:30 pm
Contact Jennifer Herbert

JUNE 2024

Cars & Carnivores Street Festival
Owen and Brooks Streets
Saturday, June 1, 2024: 10 am – 4 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; East Owen Avenue (Festival Street) and Brooks Street between Elm Avenue and Owen Avenue Extension
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Brad Walker 

July 2024

Friday Night on White
Downtown Wake Forest 
Friday, July 12, 6-9 pm
South White Street from Elm Avenue to Owen Avenue will be closed at 1 pm
South White Street from East Owen Avenue to Wait Avenue will be closed at 2 pm along with East Owen Avenue
All roads will reopen around 11:30 pm
Contact Jennifer Herbert

August 2024

Friday Night on White
Downtown Wake Forest 
Friday, Aug. 9, 6-9 pm
South White Street from Elm Avenue to Owen Avenue will be closed at 1 pm
South White Street from East Owen Avenue to Wait Avenue will be closed at 2 pm along with East Owen Avenue
All roads will reopen around 11:30 pm
Contact Jennifer Herbert

September 2024

Friday Night on White
Downtown Wake Forest 
Friday, Sept. 13, 6-9 pm
South White Street from Elm Avenue to Owen Avenue will be closed at 1 pm
South White Street from East Owen Avenue to Wait Avenue will be closed at 2 pm along with East Owen Avenue
All roads will reopen around 11:30 pm
Contact Jennifer Herbert

OCTOBER 2024

Wake Forest Pride Festival
East Owen Avenue and South Brooks Street
Saturday, October 5, 2024: 11 am – 5 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 9 am – 7 pm; East Owen Avenue between South White Street and South Brooks Street’ South Brooks Street from Elm Avenue to Owen Avenue Extension
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Samantha Luce 

What's the difference between a Community Event and a Town-Organized Event?

Community Events 

These are approved “special events” that a business, church, community group, or other organization runs, pays for, and plans after applying for and receiving a Special Event Permit from the Town of Wake Forest. Town staff approve an event location (Festival Street/East Owen Avenue, South White Street, etc.), and may require staff from Police, Public Works, and other departments, as necessary. Community Event Organizers are invoiced for the cost of Town staff required to work the event.

Examples of Community Events include the Wake Forest Rotary Club’s Cars & Carnivores Street Festival, Wake Forest Downtown, Inc.’s Forest Fest, and the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce’s Meet in the Street.

Town-Organized Events

These are events that the Town of Wake Forest creates, pays for, and plans. Town of Wake Forest staff manage the programming, including activities, logistics, and vendors. These are often referred to as “Town Events.”

Examples of Town events include Friday Night on White, Halloween Boo Bash, and the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kickoff.