Fireworks, food trucks, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more await you at Wake Forest’s 2024 Independence Day Celebration.
Presented by Capital Chevrolet, this year’s celebration marks the 51st anniversary of our community’s most popular summertime event promising two days’ worth of free fun and excitement for the entire family. For complete details, visit http://bit.ly/WFIndependenceDayCelebration.
The festivities get underway Wednesday, July 3, with the Fireworks Spectacular inside Husky Stadium on the campus of Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Please note: No glass, alcohol, pets, smoking, tents, stakes, or shade structures are allowed on the school campus.
Serving as the opening act for this year’s Fireworks Spectacular, the Tyson Brothers will take the stage at 6 p.m. The Band of Oz, one of the southeast’s most popular beach bands, will headline this year’s celebration and take the stage just after 7 p.m. An unforgettable 20-minute fireworks display will follow beginning around 9:30 p.m.
A variety of food and dessert trucks will be onsite. Food and dessert trucks scheduled to participate on July 3 include Bombastic, Charlie’s Kabob Grill on Wheels, Copperhead’s Craft Burgers, GypZea Maize Popcorn, Kona Ice, Kono Pizza, Lawrence & Perry Barbeque, Manzie’s Italian Ice, Rescue Dogs & Catering, The Flat Drum, and The Tasty Turkey-Que.
Menus for these food trucks are provided on the Town website at https://bit.ly/WFFireworksFoodTrucks and as a function of the Town app (see Independence Day Celebration, Fireworks – Food Trucks).
Both regular and accessible parking (by identification only) will be available in designated areas on the campuses of Heritage High School, Heritage Middle School, 3400 Rogers Road, Heritage Elementary School, 3500 Rogers Road, and Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rogers Road.
Parking is prohibited along Forestville Road and Foundation Drive. In addition, some parking lots in the area may appear to be public, when in fact they are private. Private lots are intended for business patrons only. Due to the high volume of attendees expected, area residents are encouraged to make plans with family members and friends to carpool to Heritage High School.
During the week of July 1, an event map highlighting important points of interest at this year’s Fireworks Spectacular, including parking, restrooms and more, will be provided on the Town website at http://bit.ly/WFFireworksSpectacular.
The Independence Day revelry continues Thursday, July 4, with the popular Children’s Parade hosted by the Dawn Nakash and the Wake Forest Optimist Club. Area youngsters are invited to hop on their bicycles and be a part of their very own “walking parade.”
The lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St. The procession will get underway at 10:30 a.m.
Participation in the Children’s Parade is free, but bicyclists are encouraged to wear their helmets. Please note: Wake Forest Police will be on hand to manage traffic and help ensure the safety of the parade participants.
The Independence Day festivities will conclude at Holding Park, 133 W. Owen Ave., with Art & More in the Park from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club, free arts and crafts activities will take place inside the Community House, also located at 133 W. Owen Ave., including the creation of various patriotic-themed crafts for all ages and cupcake decorating.
In addition, the Wake Forest Fire Department will offer games and activities near the Holding Park basketball courts and Forrest Field, along with information on fire prevention and safety.
The following sponsors have generously contributed to the 2024 Independence Day Celebration: Capital Chevrolet, Mitchell Heating & Cooling, Walters Insurance Agency, Kids Street Urgent Care, Bumgarner & Martin Orthodontics, Mitchell & Nemitz, PA, Primrose School of Heritage Wake Forest, Christian Brothers Automotive, Wake Skin Cancer Center, Caroline J. Numbers – Fonville Morisey Realtor, Hope Lutheran Church, Yard Party NC, Wake Forest Woman’s Club and Wake Forest Optimist Club.
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