Wake Forest’s 50th Independence Day Celebration July 3-4
Fireworks, food trucks, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more await you at Wake Forest’s 2023 Independence Day Celebration. Presented by Capital Chevrolet, this year’s celebration marks the 50th anniversary of our community’s most popular summertime event promising two days’ worth of free fun and excitement for the entire family. For complete details, visit http://bit.ly/WFIndependenceDayCelebration.
The festivities get underway Monday, July 3, with the Fireworks Spectacular inside Husky Stadium on the campus of Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m. Please note that no glass, alcohol, pets, or smoking are allowed on the school campus.
The Band of Oz, one of the southeast’s most popular beach bands, will headline this year’s celebration, followed by an unforgettable 20-minute fireworks display. The fireworks show will begin around 9:30 p.m.
A variety of food and dessert trucks will be onsite. A complete list of those food trucks is available on the Town website and as a function of the Town app.
Both regular and accessible parking (by identification only) will be available in designated areas on the campuses of Heritage High School, Heritage Middle School, 3400 Rogers Road, and Heritage Elementary School, 3500 Rogers Road.
In the coming days, an event map highlighting important points of interest at this year's Fireworks Spectacular, including parking, restrooms and more, will be provided on the Town website at http://bit.ly/WFFireworksSpectacular.
The Independence Day revelry continues Tuesday, July 4, with the popular Children’s Parade. Area youngsters are invited to hop on their bicycles and be a part of their very own “walking parade.” The lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St. The procession will get underway at 10:30 a.m.
Participation in the Children’s Parade is free, but bicyclists are encouraged to wear their helmets. Please note: Wake Forest Police will be on hand to manage traffic and help ensure the safety of the parade participants.
The Independence Day festivities will conclude at Holding Park, 133 W. Owen Ave., with Art & More in the Park from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club, free arts and crafts activities will take place inside the Community House, also located at 133 W. Owen Ave., including the creation of various patriotic-themed crafts for all ages and cupcake decorating. In addition, the Wake Forest Fire Department will offer games and activities near the Holding Park basketball courts and Forrest Field, along with information on fire prevention and safety.
Wake Forest is honoring the golden anniversary of its Independence Day Celebration by selling commemorative T-shirts for $16 each plus tax and shipping at https://bit.ly/WFIndependenceDay. Available in a variety of adult sizes, the navy blue T-shirts prominently display the 50-year anniversary logo on the left chest and on the back. Attendees spotted wearing the commemorative T-shirt during the July 3 Fireworks Spectacular will be eligible to receive a Texas Roadhouse coupon.
The following sponsors have generously contributed to the 2023 Independence Day Celebration: Capital Chevrolet, Mitchell Heating & Cooling, Thomas G. Walters Allstate Insurance, Primrose School of Heritage Wake Forest, Triangle Family Dentistry, The Pace at Holding Village, Leafguard, Girl Scouts of NC Coastal Pines, Bumgarner & Martin Orthodontics, Civic Federal Credit Union, J. Roberson HVAC, Goldfish Swim School, Med First Primary & Urgent Care, Hope Lutheran Church, Wake Skin Cancer Center, Mitchell & Nemitz, PA, Not Just A Fry Guy, Pediatric Housecalls, Yard Party NC, Wake Forest Woman's Club and Wake Forest Optimist Club.