Mayor Vivian Jones recently recorded a virtual State of the Town address that includes colorful video and photo highlights from the past year. In her message, Mayor Jones provides a comprehensive update on the Town’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, accomplishments over the last 12 months, and what’s to come in 2021. She also extends a heartfelt thanks to the Town’s frontline workers and shares details on infrastructure projects, communications initiatives, parks and recreation programs, town finances and more. Mayor Jones’ 2021 State of the Town Address is now airing daily through April on Wake Forest TV 10 at 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. The full 20-minute address is also provided in streaming video on the Town website at www.wakeforestnc.gov/communications/state-town/2021-state-town. Finally,  beginning today (March 24) through Tuesday, March 30, the Town will post three-to-four minute segments of this year’s State of the Town Address on its Facebook page each day at noon. #

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host a free “Egg Drop Car Hop” on Saturday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at two town parks, Joyner Park Community Center at 701 Harris Road and Flaherty Park Community Center at 1224 North White Street. The drive-through event will feature parks and rec staff distributing Easter bags filled with Easter eggs, a craft and trinkets geared towards children ages 11 and under. The “Egg Drop Car Hop” is free but online registration for an available time slot at either location is required at https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/Community/Home. Please note: Parents with more than one child should register each child individually. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance at both locations, so kids are encouraged to keep an eye out and be sure to wave when you see him! #    

The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of updating the Community Plan and creating a Future Land Use Map, and we need your input. On Tuesday, April 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday, April 17, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., the Town will host virtual visioning workshops that give residents, business owners and stakeholders the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on the future of land use and development in Wake Forest. Both workshops will have the same format and content. Each will include a short presentation on existing conditions in Wake Forest; highlights of important issues and key opportunities to include in the Community Plan; and interactive participant polling via smartphone, computer or tablet. Anyone wishing to participate should register for the meeting of their choice at www.wakeforestnc.gov/planning/community-plan. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual workshop. The Town

Although COVID-19 has pushed many events online or even canceled them altogether, it won’t stop the Wake Forest Fire Department from frying fish this year. The firemen will host a “Drive By Fish Fry” on Friday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – or until all the fish plates are sold. The drive-thru event will be offered along Elm Avenue in front of Fire Station #1, 420 Elm Ave. An illustrative map of the drive-thru system will be provided in the coming days. Dinners are $10 each and will include generous portions of fried flounder, boiled potatoes, coleslaw, and hush puppies. No beverages will be provided. Online orders will be accepted through Thursday, April 15, at www.wakeforestnc.gov/fire/fish-fry. Only available while supplies last, orders may also be accepted on the day of the event. Please note: Due to a limited number of meals, ordering ahead is strongly encouraged. Fish fry

Note: Real fish are involved The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources  Department will host a Virtual Bass Fishing Tournament for ages 13 and older and a Virtual Youth Fishing Tournament for ages 12 and under May 10-23. Over this two-week period, local anglers are encouraged to visit any public fishery in Wake or Franklin County to try and catch the biggest fish. Participants in the Youth Fishing Tournament may catch any species of fish, while anglers in the Bass Fishing Tournament will be limited to bass only. Online registration for both tournaments is available through Thursday, April 22, at  https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/Community/Home. The cost to participate is $10 for the bass tournament and $5 for the youth tourney. Participants in the bass tourney will receive a fishing scale to be used in the competition, while contestants in the youth tournament will receive an “Early Fisherman” packet. Fishing scales and “Early Fisherman”