The 38th Annual Meet in the Street festival returns to downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, May 5. Presented by the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Engine Masters, Meet in the Street annually draws well over 30,000 people to downtown Wake Forest to enjoy many of the best artists and craftsmen in our area.
This year’s festival is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will again include portions of South Taylor Street, South Brooks Street, and South White Street.
Visitors to Meet in the Street are invited to browse over 200 arts and crafts vendors, indulge in their favorite festival foods from more than 20 food vendors and food trucks, and enjoy a variety of live entertainment.
Two stages, the Performing Arts Stage on Taylor Street and the Main Stage on Owen Street near the Beer Garden in Fidelity’s Parking lot will showcase the best in regional talent. This year’s lineup for the Performing Arts Stage includes a variety of acts and demonstrations from local groups, professional magicians, and youth bluegrass band. Live music on the Main Stage features such popular groups as: Majic, The Tyson Brothers, Irresistible Groove, and John King.
Again, this year is the Young Entrepreneur’s Fair. Located in the Chamber of Commerce parking lot at 350 South White Street, the fair will feature more than 25 vendors from the ages of 9 to 14. Each young person will be selling handmade items they have created.
In addition, the popular Children’s Village and fire truck exhibit will be back on Taylor Street. The Bicycle Safety Fair will be back on Brooks Street again this year. A designated Food Court will also be located on Brooks Street for visitors to listen to music and enjoy local cuisine. New this year, the Wake Forest Farmer’s Market will be open on Taylor Street for locals to visit too.
In order to accommodate Meet in the Street, the Town of Wake Forest will close the following streets and parking lots on May 5 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
A welcome feature again this year will be the free shuttle service. In conjunction with Sam’s Club and Banks Kerr Family YMCA, visitors will be able to hop on one of two YMCA buses at the Wake Forest Sam’s Club, 11460 Royall Cotton Road, for the short trip into downtown. The free shuttle will drop off visitors on White Street at the Bus Stop. The shuttle will run continuously beginning at 9:30 a.m. The final shuttle will depart from downtown at 5:00 p.m.
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, 110 South White Street, and the upper SunTrust Parking Lot, 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.
