*The Spelling Bee, a fund-raiser for the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at CenturyLink, 14111 Capital Boulevard.
*It’s Art After Hours Friday night, Nov. 14, and you will find shops and studios open until 9 p.m. showcasing their featured artists for the month and serving refreshments. See the article in this week’s issue for the participating studios.
*Remember there has been a change for the Wake Forest Farmers Market. You can find it and shop this
Saturday, Nov. 15, but it has returned to its winter hours, 10 a.m. to noon, in its new home in the Renaissance Plaza at the intersection of East Elm Avenue and Brooks Street.
*The Franklin County Arts Council will hold its annual meeting and dinner Thursday, Nov. 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Johnny’s on Main Street in Franklinton. The entertainment is by the Blues Rockets and the business meeting begins at 8 p.m. The cost is $11 for a buffet dinner and cash bar. RSVP and send payment to FCAC, PO Box 758, Louisburg, NC 27549 or pay online at www.FCAC.org by Nov. 7.
*The Community Christmas Dinner will take place Monday, Dec. 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in The Forks Cafeteria on Brooks Street. Tickets are $25 each and are available at the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce.
*Annual Historic Christmas Cheer sponsored by the Franklin County Arts Council will be held from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Person Place, 605 North Main Street, Louisburg. Children will hang ornaments they made and trim the Christmas tree, then perform Christmas carols on the front porch. Refreshments will be served after the performance. It is a free event. See all the FCAC November and December events in an article in this week’s issue.
*The Lighting of Wake Forest, the ceremonial lighting of the town’s Christmas tree, will take place Friday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Centennial Plaza in front of the Wake Forest Town Hall on Brooks Street. After Mayor Vivian Jones lights the tree, Santa Claus will arrive to have his picture taken with everyone. There will be performances by school bands and choirs and free horse and carriage rides.
*The Christmas Historic Home Tour will be held this year from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, and will feature about 10 historic homes. Advance tickets are $16 and $22 on the day. The tour is sponsored by the Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission and the Wake Forest Woman’s Club. See www.wakeforestnc.gov/christmashometour.aspx or call Senior Planner Michelle Michael at 919-4335-9516.
*A Downtown Holiday Open House will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the historic downtown along South White and surrounding streets on Saturday, Dec. 6. There will be special offers, complementary refreshments, performances by school and dance groups, horse and carriage rides and fun activities for children and families.
*A Joyful Collective, a free Christmas concert for the community will be presented by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Saturday, Dec. 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Binkley Chapel on the campus. Bring the family to enjoy Christmas carols and hot chocolate.
*On Sunday, Dec. 7, celebrate the magic of the holiday season at Christmas in New York with Franc D’Ambrosio , best known as the Phantom in the award-winning musical, “The Phantom of the Opera.” Advance tickets to the event in the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre are now on sale: $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, $12 for children 12 and under. At the door tickets will be $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $25 for children.
* The Wake County Genealogical Society will host its holiday presentation, Family Holiday Traditions and Recipes and the stories and photos that go with them, Tuesday, Dec. 9, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Olivia Raney Local History Library at 4016 Carya Drive, Raleigh. Everyone is encouraged to bring food, recipes, photos and stories of traditions to share.
*Calls from Santa and Mrs. Santa will be made from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11.
*At least two Santas are growing their snow-white beards now, and one of them will be on the Santa float at the end of the Wake Forest Christmas Parade that begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.
All the Christmas events are listed at www.wakeforestnc.gov/christmas-in-wake-forest.aspx.
*The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Wake Forest will be held Thursday, Jan. 22, at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church on Friendship Chapel Road. The community dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m.
