The Northeast Community Coalition will host a Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 17, beginning at 10 a.m. Juneteenth? It is the oldest known celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States. Although President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect on Jan. 1, 1863, affecting all slaves in the Confederate States of America, it was not until June of 1865 that word reached Galveston Island, Texas, and U.S. General Gordon Granger read aloud General Order No. 3, announcing total emancipation of slaves, leading to a celebration. Today Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. Wake Forest’s celebration will begin at 10 a.m. in the Taylor Street Park with a meet-and-greet event followed by a Freedom Parade that will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Olive Branch Baptist Church and end at the Taylor Street Park. There will be events throughout the

The Wake Forest Charity Car Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17 along South White Street in the town’s historic downtown district. Sponsored by Wake Forest Downtown Inc., the proceeds of the free event will benefit several area charities. The Grand Sponsor is Chris Leith Dodge/Ram and the show will feature the Leith Kia Monster Truck on display and the Wake Forest Fire Department’s Jaws of Life demonstration. There will be all makes and models of cars – muscle cars, sports cars, pony cars, classic and antique autos, street rods and trucks. There will be a demonstration of the “Take-Apart-T” Model T assembly. Admission to the car show is free and open to the public. In the event of rain, the exhibit will be rescheduled for Saturday, June 24. To enter a vehicle in the show, register between 8 and 11 a.m. on Saturday,

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Chamber event will be held Thursday, June 15, at a combined event with June’s Business After Hours, all at The Sutherland on Wake Union Church Road. The State of the Chamber will be held from 5:30 to 6 p.m. with an overview of the past year and a preview of the chamber’s direction for next year. Awards will be presented and an exciting new networking technology will be unveiled. RSVPs are required. You are asked to arrive and be seated for the State of the Chamber before 5:30. Anyone arriving after that hour will have to wait outside until Business After Hours begins at 6. Business After Hours will follow from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with drinks, hors d’oeuvres and networking opportunities. The chamber is now accepting nominations for the Hall of Fame Award, Volunteer of the Year and Ambassador

The center will be closed later this year for a major expansion of the building, and Miranda Strider-Allen and the staff are planning to keep operating as many of the programs and services as possible. “We are planning on moving programs and services throughout Wake Forest,” Strider Allen said recently. We are partnering with the Town of Wake Forest to use its Renaissance Center, Community House, Flaherty Community Center as well as space at the county’s Northern Regional Center. Three assisted living centers, Brookdale, Carillon and The Lodge, as well as the American Legion building, are housing programs, just to name a few sites. She said Meals on Wheels is still searching for a site to use. “Our goal is to start programs outside the center by September or sooner. We will also be moving the staff and office by then. When the location is confirmed I will let you

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be held in Renaissance Plaza on Brooks Street Saturday, June 10, from 8 a.m. to noon. See the market’s Facebook page for vendors. *Monday Night Bingo at The Factory is hosted by the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club in the Mill Room from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Monday night. All profits support the club’s projects for children. Visit www.wakeforestbingo.com for more information. *Overeaters Anonymous meets on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest United Methodist Church, 905 South Main Street. Enter through the back by the office. No dues, fees or weigh-ins. Everyone welcome! Contact Jennifer at 928-225-5236. *Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry at 149 East Holding Avenue is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for food distribution and serves about 700 families in Wake Forest, Youngsville, Rolesville and their surrounding areas. Call 919-556-7144 for information about receiving food, volunteering