Wake Forest’s Meet in the Street – the 36th annual version is May 7 – is wildly popular – 30,000-plus people are expected to hit South White Street between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. that day.
The attractions? First are more than 150 arts and crafts vendors, many of them the best in the area, plus the many food trucks and the variety of live entertainment.
Outstanding local acts, including three local rock bands, will perform in Performance Plaza (usually known as town hall’s Centennial Plaza on Brooks Street). The Main Stage on South White Street near the Beer Garden will feature popular groups including The Lang Sisters, Southern Blend Band, Rebekah Todd and the Odyssey, and Liverpool of the Carolinas – Beatles Experience.
The food trucks will satisfy any craving. Try Charlie’s Kabob Grill, Cousins Maine Lobster, Kona Ice of Raleigh, Sweet Traditions by LeAne Cupcakes, Big Al’s BBQ, Fuzzy’s Empanadas, Crab Daddy’s, Sweet Granny Apple Fries, Bam Pow Chow, Baquettaboutit, Bigg Heads, Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Gussy’s Greek, JAM Ice Cream, Party In A Pita, Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream, Sunshine Delight, Simply Crepes and Lumpy’s Ice Cream.
To help accommodate the crowds, the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, which is the sponsor, has arranged for shuttle buses from convenient parking at the Wake Forest Target store, 12000 Retail Drive, to Brooks Street across from La Foresta. The free shuttle will run, with two buses donated thanks to Sam’s Club and Banks Kerr Family YMCA, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
In addition to the popular Children’s Village, Bicycle Safety Fair, and fire truck exhibit, Meet in the Street will include the Carolina Hurricanes Storm Squad – including crowd favorite Stormy, Muddy from the Carolina Mudcats, a new children’s art show, mobile gaming theater, and inflatables for the kids.
In order to accommodate Meet in the Street, the Town of Wake Forest will close the following streets and parking lots on May 7 from 4 a.m. to approximately 8 p.m.:
- South Taylor Street, from East Jones Avenue to Elm Avenue
- South Brooks Street, from East Jones Avenue to Elm Avenue
- South White Street, from East Jones Avenue to Elm Avenue
- Town Hall’s Brooks Street parking lot; the lot will be the site of the Bicycle Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., however, it will remain closed throughout the day.
- All other municipal parking lots in the vicinity of town hall, including public and staff parking lots
Free parking will be available in signed spaces along several downtown streets and parking lots. Handicap parking will be provided in the Depot Parking Lot at 110 South White Street and the upper SunTrust Parking Lot at 353 South White Street. A complete listing of free parking options is provided at www.wakeforestnc.gov/MITS-parking.aspx.
Android and iPhone users can have a handy pocket guide to this year’s Meet in the Street in the palm of their hands by downloading the Town of Wake Forest app and using the app’s “Meet in the Street” function. Designed to offer smart phone users instant access to important details about Meet in the Street, the function includes the complete entertainment schedule, a list of food concessions, parking information, an interactive map and more.
IPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android users can download the town’s free app by searching for “Town of Wake Forest” on iTunes, in the iPhone app store, or in Google Play or by scanning the appropriate QR code provided at www.wakeforestnc.gov/app.aspx.
Meet in the Street is free and open to the public. For more information, including the complete entertainment schedule, parking information, an interactive map, and concession offerings, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Meet in the Street.”
