There should be pretty clear skies with a few clouds and the temperature around 70 degrees for the Wake Forest Christmas Parade Saturday. Downtown Development Director Lisa Hayes said the weather and the parade’s continuing popularity should combine to lure over 20,000 people into downtown for the event, the last of the early-December public holiday events.
Hayes said there will be over 100 floats and entries from local groups and businesses along with marching bands from local high schools and, of course, Santa Claus in his sleigh on the final float.
The parade lines up along South White Street, and the starting point at 1 p.m. is the intersection of Elm Avenue and South White. The parade until will continue north on South White, turn right onto Wait Avenue and then right again on Brooks Street to end at the Elm Avenue intersection. The route provides a lot of viewing area for the spectators.
A note: People walking or riding on floats in the parade may hand candy to the spectators but they cannot throw candy. It is a safety issue, Hayes said.
Streets in downtown will be closed beginning at 10 a.m. when drivers on the N.C. 98 Bypass (Dr. Calvin Jones Highway) will not be able to turn on South Franklin Street. Access to South Franklin will be from Wait Avenue. Also, East Holding Avenue from South Main Street to South Franklin Street, South White Street from East Holding Avenue to Elm Avenue and Elm Avenue from South Franklin Street to South White Street will be closed at 10 a.m. for the parade lineup.
Beginning at noon South White Street will be closed to traffic from Elm Avenue to East Roosevelt Avenue along with Wait Avenue from South White to Brooks Street and Brooks Street from Wait to Elm.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will open its nearby lots for free parade parking. The lots are at the intersection of South Avenue and South Main, at Stadium Drive and Rock Spring Road, and just north of Durham Road and South Wingate Street. Wake Forest Baptist Church will also allow free parade parking. There will be signs at these locations.
Handicapped-accessible parking will be available at The Forks Cafeteria, 339 Brooks Street; Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 Brooks Street; and SunTrust Bank, 353 South White Street. People with a disable person placard or license plate will be allow to dive to these lots using Franklin Street and Elm Avenue.
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.
Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 16, the Town of Wake Forest will rebroadcast the Christmas Parade on WFTV 10 daily 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.
