Join us for a fun-filled day in downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, Feb. 22, during the Wake Forest Mardi Gras Street Festival presented by Primrose School of Heritage Wake Forest and Thomas G. Walters: Allstate Insurance. This family-friendly celebration is scheduled from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. and admission is free.
The Wake Forest Mardi Gras Street Festival invites area residents to visit the heart of Wake Forest and experience all our downtown has to offer. The event will offer a variety of fun things to do, including a costume processional, children’s activities, and assorted contests for people of all ages.
The Mardi Gras Street Festival will feature music, entertainment, face painting and a costume processional for children and adults. In addition, downtown merchants and several event sponsors will offer exceptional discounts and activities throughout the day. There will also be a variety of food trucks in the Fidelity Bank parking lot, 231 S. White St., plus fun and exciting contests for the young and young at heart!
One of the day’s highlights promises to be the Mardi Gras processional. The lineup will begin at 12:45 p.m. in town hall’s Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St., and the processional gets underway at 1 p.m. The route will extend from town hall, up East Owen Avenue, and north along South White Street before ending at Jones Plaza, intersection of South White St. and Jones Avenue.
The processional is open to both children and adults. No pre-registration is required; however, all children must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. Youngsters are invited to walk, ride their bicycles or be pulled along in a wagon. Participation is free, but bicyclists must wear their helmets.
Participants are encouraged to flex their creative muscles by decorating their bicycles, wagons, and strollers and dressing up in their best Mardi Gras attire. Prizes will be awarded for Best Decorated Vehicle (wagon, bicycle or stroller) and Most Festive Family. A King and Queen will also be chosen based on their Mardi Gras themed attire and will join our presenting sponsors to lead the processional.
Free face painting will be offered in the town hall lobby during the event.
Feeling creative? Children can make a mask in the town hall lobby or Macaroni Bead Necklace with Arts Wake Forest. Then make sure to leave your mark by participating in sidewalk chart art on South White Street.
Got a lot of energy? Kids (and kids at heart) can learn how to hula-hoop at the Hoop Jam in Centennial Plaza. There will also be a mini aerial rig for kids who want to test their skills in Centennial Plaza.
Just want to see the sights? Roaming acrobats, balloon twisters, a contortionist, and other street entertainers will provide plenty of entertainment throughout the day.
The 2020 Mardi Gras Festival will feature a variety of food and dessert trucks in the Fidelity Bank parking lot, 231 S. White Street.
A special Thank you to all our sponsors for their support of the 2020 Wake Forest Mardi Gras Festival presented by Thomas G. Walters: Allstate Insurance and Primrose School of Heritage Wake Forest. Additional sponsors include: Champion Windows, Sunrooms & Home Exteriors, Vision Martial Arts, Stanley Martin Homes, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Triangle Family Dentistry, Bull Restoration, Oberweis Dairy and Arts for All.
2020 Sponsorships still available. To learn about other opportunities fill out our Sponsorship Interest Form or contact Amanda Cochrane for more information.
Several participating downtown merchants will offer special discounts and activities – many with a Mardi Gras theme – throughout the day.
