Wake Forest clarifies Community Events vs. Town-Organized Events

In recent weeks, Wake Forest officials have fielded numerous inquiries from community members seeking clarification on the difference between “Town-Organized Events” and “Community Events.”

Town-Organized Events (commonly referred to as Town Events) are those the Town of Wake Forest creates, pays for, plans, and executes. Town staff are responsible for managing the event programming, including activities, logistics, and vendors. Examples of Town events include Friday Night on White, Halloween Boo Bash, and the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kickoff.

Community Events are approved “Special Events” in a public area (Festival Street/East Owen Avenue, South White Street, etc.) that a business, church, community group, or other organization manages, pays for, plans, and executes after applying for and receiving a Special Event Permit from the Town. As part of the permit process, Town staff approve the event location and may require the involvement of staff from Police, Public Works, and/or other departments, as necessary. Community Event organizers are invoiced for the cost of Town staff required to work at the event.

Examples of Community Events include the Cars & Carnivores Street Festival (Wake Forest Rotary Club), Meet in the Street (Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce), and Wake Forest Pride Festival (Wake Forest Pride).

Adopted by the Board of Commissioners in 2018 and available on the Wake Forest website at www.wakeforestnc.gov/special-events-policy, the Town’s Special Events Policy describes the process of applying for a Special Event Permit.

It is important to note that Wake Forest cannot selectively deny or approve a Special Event Permit Application. Denial or approval is based entirely on the applicant’s adherence to the regulations and conditions outlined in the Special Events Policy.

In addition, as a recipient of federal funds, the Town of Wake Forest is subject to the provisions of Title VI originally enacted as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. Wake Forest’s own Title VI policy specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, limited English proficiency, sex, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or income-level. For more information on Title VI, visit https://www.wakeforestnc.gov/TitleVI.

Finally, in a recent move aimed at protecting community members from discrimination and demonstrating support for Goal 3 of the Town’s Strategic Plan (Foster a Safe, Diverse, and Welcoming Community), the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners on June 18 adopted Wake County’s Nondiscrimination Ordinance. Protected classes covered under the ordinance include race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, pregnancy, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, National Guard or veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability.

For more information on the Town’s Special Events Policy, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/special-events-policy.