More than 100 floats, four high school marching bands, entries from local businesses, churches and schools and, of course, Santa Claus – that will be the annual Wake Forest Christmas Parade that will thrill thousands Saturday, Dec. 8.
Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam will serve as the Grand Marshals of the 71st annual parade. Lady Liberty (Bonnie Johnson), Uncle Sam (multiple men have served and continue to serve in this capacity – Bob Allen, Greg Harrington and Bill Brown) have delighted kids and families alike during the Independence Day celebrations, including the July 3rd fireworks event and the July 4th parade and Art in the Park for over 30 years.
The Grand Marshal floats, along with 120 other parade entries, will be announced by ABC 11’s Kim Deaner and UNC Rex Healthcare’s Bonnie Little who will serve as parade co-broadcasters stationed on South White Street. Kim joined ABC-11 in March as the morning traffic reporter (but has been a meteorologist for over 18 years). Bonnie Little, who oversees network development and physician relations for UNC Rex Healthcare, has announced the Wake Forest parade for the last 10 years. Both Deaner and Little call Wake Forest home.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. from the intersection of Elm Avenue and South White Street, marches north on North White before turning east on Wait Avenue for a block. It will then turn south on South Brooks Street and east onto Elm Avenue, ending at the intersection of Elm Avenue and South Taylor Street next to the Renaissance Plaza.
The parade is sponsored by PowerSecure and presented by Wake Forest Downtown.
Several streets will be closed beginning about 10 a.m. when drivers on the N.C. 98 Bypass will not be permitted to turn onto South Franklin Street but must get to South Franklin Street from Wait Avenue. Also closing about the same time are East Holding Avenue from South Main to South Franklin, South White Street from East Holding Avenue to Elm Avenue, Elm Avenue from South Franklin Street to South White Street, and South Taylor Street from Elm Avenue to Wait Avenue.
Starting around noon, South White Street from Elm Avenue to East Roosevelt Avenue will be shut down, as will Wait Avenue from South White Street to South Brooks Street, and South Brooks Street from Wait Avenue to Elm Avenue.
Because of these road closures, area residents planning to visit the U.S. Post Office at 224 East Holding Avenue may wish to consider the Wake Forest Post Office branch located at 910 Gateway Commons Circle. In addition, residents of Heath Ridge Village and the Retreat at Renaissance will only be allowed to access the subdivisions via Wait Avenue and South Franklin Street.
The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will allow free parade parking in the lots located at the intersections of South Avenue and South Main Street and Stadium Drive and Rock Spring Road. Parking is also available in the lot just north of the Durham Road and South Wingate Street intersection. Wake Forest Baptist Church will also allow free parade parking. Parade parking signage will be posted at each of these locations.
Handicap-accessible parking will be available at The Forks Cafeteria at 339 South Brooks Street, Wake Forest Town Hall at 301 South Brooks Street, and SunTrust Bank at 353 S. White Street. Residents with a Disabled Person placard or license plate will be permitted to use these parking lots by way of Franklin Street and Elm Avenue. Because of the numerous street closures scheduled in the downtown area, anyone planning to park in one of these lots is urged to arrive no later than noon.
This year’s Christmas Parade will feature a designated viewing area for wheelchair-bound attendees. Located in front of the Wake Forest Town Hall at 301 Soouth Brooks Street, this reserved area will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Space will be limited, so guests are encouraged to arrive early. In addition, parties of more than four may be asked to separate and reunite after the parade.
Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at several downtown restaurants. A Need for Coffee and Lumpy’s Ice Cream will also be on site in the parking lot of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 South White Street, and the VFW Chuckwagon will be serving in the Depot Parking Lot at 150 South White Street.
A downloadable Christmas parade map highlighting the parade route, related road closures and event parking is available at www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-forest-christmas-parade.aspx<http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-forest-christmas-parade.aspx>.
Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 12, the Town of Wake Forest will rebroadcast the Christmas Parade daily on WFTV 10 at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. throughout the remainder of December. The parade will also be provided online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-forest-christmas-parade.aspx<http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-forest-christmas-parade.aspx>.
The Town of Wake Forest plans to schedule an automated phone call to town residents Friday afternoon, Dec. 7, with details about the Christmas Parade, including the scheduled road closures.
For more information about this year’s Wake Forest Christmas Parade, contact Downtown Development Program Assistant Lynnette Beadle at 919-435-9416 or lbeadle@wakeforestnc.gov<mailto:lbeadle@wakeforestnc.gov>.
For a complete listing of Town-sponsored holiday events, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/christmas-in-wake-forest.aspx<http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/christmas-in-wake-forest.aspx>.
To receive email notifications concerning special events in Wake Forest, sign up for E-Notifier at www.wakeforestnc.gov/enotifier.aspx<http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/enotifier.aspx>.
