The new year has arrived, and that means it’s time to start filling your 2020 calendar! The Town of Wake Forest offers several exciting events guaranteed to help you stay engaged and active, while kicking off the new year. From carnivals and musical performances to street festivals and community celebrations, everyone is sure to find one or more events they can enjoy.

First Friday Flix, flix4kidz, And Free at 3

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts, located at 405 S. Brooks Street, offers a variety of free movie showings each month for area residents of all ages. On the first Friday of each month at 7:00 PM, the Renaissance Centre hosts “First Friday Flix.” Free and open to the public, these movie screenings feature a variety of film favorites and genres, including comedies, dramas, thrillers, and more, often with a seasonal or historical theme. Then, on the second Monday of each month at 10:30 AM, the Renaissance Centre offers “flix4kidz.” Intended for children 12 and under, flix4kidz features only G or PG-rated children’s and family films. Finally, there’s “Free at 3” on the second Monday of each month at 3:00 PM. Designed for adults ages 50 and over, Free at 3 features a variety of film favorites and genres, including art and family films, as well as comedies, dramas, thrillers, and more – also often with a seasonal or historical theme. Again, all of these movie showings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

Rockin’ the Forest

Assembling some of the top musical acts in the area, the Rockin’ the Forest music series features a variety of bands that play rock and roll covers from classic to modern rock, with a little funk and original music thrown in. The series continues Friday, January 17, with The Legacy Motown Revue, followed by Jim Quick & Coastline on February 28 and The Magnificents on March 27. The Renaissance Centre is the perfect place to enjoy a fun-filled

night of great music and dancing. The bar will be open for wine, beer, and other refreshment purchases. For more information, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration

Several local churches and community organizations will come together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a free, public celebration on Thursday, January 23, at

Friendship Chapel Baptist Church (237 Friendship Chapel Road). Area residents are invited to attend the observance, beginning with a light meal at 6:00 PM and followed by the program at 7:00 PM. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “MLK.”

State of the Town Address & Dinner

The 2020 Wake Forest State of the Town Address & Dinner is scheduled for Monday, February 17, at 6:00 PM at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Since 2009, the Town of Wake Forest has partnered with the Wake Forest Rotary Club to sponsor the annual event on the third Monday in February. The occasion offers Wake Forest citizens the opportunity to reflect on the Town’s list of accomplishments during the previous year and learn about its goals in the coming months. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “State of the Town.”

Wake Forest Mardi Gras Street Festival

Children and adults can enjoy a fun-filled day in downtown Wake Forest during the Wake Forest Mardi Gras Street Festival on Saturday, February 22. This family-friendly celebration is scheduled from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM and admission is free. The annual event features music, entertainment, face painting, and a costume processional for children and adults to showcase their Mardi Gras-themed attire. There will also be a variety of contests and activities throughout the day. For more information and a schedule of events, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Mardi Gras.”

Wake Forest Film Festival

Mark your calendars for a cinematic tour de force – the second annual Wake Forest Film Festival, March 13-14. Entitled “A Light in the Forest,” this event aims to spotlight passionate, creative, and thought-provoking movies by some of today’s most promising and accomplished local, national, and international filmmakers. A two-day film showcase, the Wake Forest Film Festival will engage audiences with films of all lengths and genres, including short and feature, documentary, horror, animation, narrative, and student. Intended for both the general public and film professionals, the film festival is an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their films in a unique location to a discerning audience. For more information, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

STEM Saturday

The Wake Forest Technology Advisory Board is inviting area middle and high school students and their parents to Wake Forest STEM Saturday 2020 on Saturday, March 28. This free family networking fair is scheduled from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Celebrating science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM Saturday will expose students to a variety of STEM career options, while featuring STEM-related exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on learning activities.

Easter Egg Hunt

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will host its annual Easter Egg Hunts on Saturday, March 28. The festivities will take place at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, beginning at 10:00 AM. PRCR will offer several egg hunts for children of different ages, along with an Egg-ceptional Egg Hunt for children with disabilities. The occasion will also feature food vendors and Easter-themed arts and crafts activities in the Joyner Park Amphitheater. In the event of inclement weather, the Easter Egg Hunt will be held Sunday, March 29 starting at 1:00 PM. Visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Egg Hunt.”

Dirt Day And Arbor Day

Wake Forest’s 7th Annual Dirt Day will take place along South White Street in downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, April 4, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. A fun-filled outdoor event for children and adults, Dirt Day features a variety of demonstrations and activities focused on gardening, landscaping, camping, and more. This year, Dirt Day will be held in conjunction with Wake Forest’s Annual Arbor Day Expo, located on Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza. The Arbor Day Expo features a tree seedling giveaway, as well as activities and educational groups promoting proper tree care and environmental stewardship. For detailed information visit, wakeforestnc.gov and search “Dirt Day.”

Stay Connected!

Always be the first to know about Town of Wake Forest programs, services, and special events by signing up for E-Notifier atwww.wakeforestnc.gov/enotifier.aspx, downloading the Town of Wake Forest app at www.wakeforestnc.gov/app.aspx, or visiting the town’s website at www.wakeforestnc.gov.