The Rotary Club of Wake Forest announces its 2nd annual Cars and Carnivores Street Festival featuring a steak cookoff competition, car show, vendors and food booths on Saturday, March 23, 2024, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. in historic downtown Wake Forest.
Following last year’s success, the free street festival on Brooks Street and Owen Avenue combines a love for classic cars with the passion for grilling while raising funds to pay off past-due medical bills for local cancer patients.
“Our inaugural event raised enough money to erase the medical debt of 26 local cancer patients through our partnership with WakeMed Health & Hospitals,” said Johnny Whitfield, Wake Forest Rotary club president. “We believe alleviating financial stress for cancer patients and their families during difficult times is important in our community. By entering the car show and steak cookoff, becoming a sponsor, attending our free street festival and buying lunch from our Rotary food stands, you’re contributing to this effort.”
The Steak Cookoff, sanctioned and hosted by the Steak Cookoff Association (SCA), offers new challenges for participants. There is a second steak competition added (Steak A and Steak B categories) and two new ancillary categories: a side dish and dessert both featuring pecans. Wake Forest Rotary sells pecans as a fundraiser every November. All entrants in these categories will be provided with a bag of pecans.
The stakes are high with the cash payout for the Steak Cookoff totaling $5,600 for winners in all four categories.
Also new this year is an SCA Certified Judge’s Class on Friday, March 22, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at The Forks Cafeteria, 339 Brooks St, Wake Forest. This class, open to anyone, is not only for those who want to become a certified judge for SCA competitions but will offer knowledge to cookoff entrants of what judges are looking for in the competitions. This is a perfect prelude to the main event, offering an in-depth perspective on what makes a winning steak. The class is $60 per person.
The 2nd annual Cars and Carnivores Car Show on March 23 will offer enjoyment to both car/truck owners and spectators. Car show entries are being accepted online, in advance only, for $25 per car and limited to the first 100 cars. Entries will be judged by a panel of experts and the public for Best of Show and People’s Choice trophies.
To enter the steak cookoff, sign up for the certified judge’s class, register a car, become a vendor, volunteer or sponsor, visit www.wakeforestrotary.org/cc
News and updates will also be shared on the club’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WakeForestRotary. Registration is only on the Wake Forest Rotary club’s secure website and the SCA–not through anyone on social media.
While the March 23 Street Festival promises a day of fun, competition, and indulgence, its core mission is to offer support to cancer patients through medical debt relief.
Donations can be made directly to the Wake Forest Rotary Foundation Medical Debt Relief initiative for those who wish to contribute but cannot attend.
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About the Rotary Club of Wake Forest
Rotarians are people of action, driven by a desire to create opportunities, strengthen communities and find solutions to challenges. The club meets at The Forks Café, in Wake Forest every Monday night 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wake Forest Rotary Club is a service organization of business professionals, neighbors, friends and community leaders who join together to create positive change in Wake Forest, the Triangle, our state, nation and the world. Visit www.WakeForestRotary.org for more information.
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