Summer’s here so it’s time to have some fun. But where should you go and what should you do? Look no further, because I have the answer – spend your summer right here in Wake Forest! Guaranteed to please the entire family, the town’s impressive lineup of events includes outdoor concerts, family movie nights, a pet extravaganza, the inaugural Wake Forest Home & Garden Show, and more. So gather your family and join your neighbors at these exciting town events because this is sure to be an unforgettable summer in Wake Forest. 

FRIDAY NIGHT ON WHITE

Friday Night on White, which started in April, is already a community favorite. The free, outdoor music series continues with concerts on July 8, August 12, and September 9. Presented by White Street Brewing Company, the performances take place along South White Street and begin at 6:00 PM. All concerts are free and feature a variety of premier local bands and food trucks. So grab your lawn chair and come enjoy the music while taking in the great atmosphere of Downtown Wake Forest. And be sure to say thank you to the event sponsors: White Street Brewing Company, Back Alley Coffee Roasters, Gladwell Orthodontics, McPherson Family Eye Care, Mitchell Heating & Cooling, North Raleigh News, The Wake Forest Weekly, Carillon Assisted Living, Chick-fil-A, CIRCA Magazine, Coastal Federal Credit Union, Dirty Dogs Spa, Edward Jones, Lowes Foods, Raleigh Radiology, The Rolesville Buzz, Tuscan Ridge Animal Hospital, Wake Audiology, Fidelity Bank, Ads n’ Art, Candlewood Suites, Esthetics by Caris, Heritage Urgent & Primary Care, and Page 158 Books. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov and search “Friday Night on White.”

NECK OF THE WOODS

Neck of the Woods is a variety performance series at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre featuring emerging local artists. Each show is different and may include actors, dancers, musicians, comedians, writers, and spoken word artists. Come out and enjoy a truly unique and entertaining event and support your local artists. Wine, beer, and other refreshments will be available for purchase. This event is presented and sponsored by Wake Forest ARTS! The next show will take place on Friday, July 15, at 7:30 PM. For more information, including a list of scheduled performers, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov and search “Neck of the Woods.”

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS AT JOYNER PARK

You’re invited to enjoy a movie under the stars. The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is excited to host Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park. The outdoor movie series began in May and continues on July 30 and August 13. Free and open to the public, the movies begin at 8:30 PM. Be sure to come hungry because assorted food vendors will be on site selling snacks and beverages. Bring chairs or a blanket and arrive early in order to give you and your family time to find a spot and settle in before the movie begins. Thank you to the event sponsors: Traditions at Wake Forest, Mosquito Joe of Eastern Wake, and Primrose School of Heritage Wake Forest. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov and search “Family Movie Nights.”

CONCERTS IN THE PARK 

The Town of Wake Forest, PineCone, and Wake Forest ARTS will present free concerts at E. Carroll Joyner Park on Sunday, August 7, and Sunday, September 4. Both performances will get underway at 5:00 PM in the Joyner Park Amphitheater, situated adjacent to the shade provided by the majestic pecan grove. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase or bring your own picnic. This year’s lineup includes Christiane & The Strays on August 7 and Dark Water Rising on September 4. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov and search “Concerts in the Park.”

WAKE FOREST HOME & GARDEN SHOW

Whether you are looking for a complete home remodel, a kitchen or bath makeover, a newly landscaped yard, or just like to shop for your home, you will find it all at the Wake Forest Home & Garden Show. The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will host this inaugural event on Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14. Showcasing the latest in home improvement products, services, and features, the show will take place Saturday from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Thank you to our Indoor Presenting Sponsor, Mitchell Heating & Cooling and our Outdoor Presenting Sponsor B93.9 New Country. Vendor opportunities are available. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov and search “Home & Garden Show.”

BEACH NIGHT ON WHITE 

Celebrate summer with a beach bash in Wake Forest! Beach music by Jim Quick & Coastline will fill the air on Saturday, August 20, when Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. presents Beach Night on White. This free event will take place along S. White Street from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Downtown shops and restaurants will be open and a variety of food trucks will be on site. Jim Quick & Coastline take the stage at 5:00 PM. For more information, visit www.wakeforest-nc.gov and search “Beach Night on White.”

WAKE FOREST UNPLUGGED

Longing for an entire afternoon free from electronic devices? If so, then save the date for Wake Forest Unplugged on Sunday, September 4. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Recreation Advisory Board, the event encourages Wake Forest-area residents to “disconnect” from cell phones, PDAs, and computers, and “re-connect” with their community, friends, and family. Beginning at 4:00 PM, join other Wake Foresters for an afternoon of free games and activities at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. The electronics-free afternoon will culminate with a concert in the Joyner Park Amphitheater from 5:00 – 7:00 PM featuring Dark Water Rising. Even if you can’t make it out to Joyner Park, you and your family can still participate by simply “unplugging” from your televisions, personal computers, smart phones, and video games for the afternoon and instead engage in healthier, more active pursuits. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov and search “Wake Forest Unplugged.”

GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY 

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council will sponsor the 11th Annual Good Neighbor Day on Sunday, September 18. This free, family-friendly event will be held from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Holding Park, 133 W. Owen Avenue. Good Neighbor Day assembles people from all walks of life for a day of food, fun, and family entertainment. By bringing together a mix of cultures, music, ages, and ethnicities, the event celebrates diversity and promotes goodwill among all of Wake Forest’s citizens. In the event of rain, Good Neighbor Day will be held on Sunday, September 25. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov and search “Good Neighbor Day.”

DIRTY DOGS PET EXTRAVAGANZA

The Town of Wake Forest is partnering to host the Fourth Annual Dirty Dogs Pet Extravaganza at E. Carroll Joyner Park on Saturday and Sunday, September 24-25. This annual Pet Extravaganza raises money, awareness, and food donations for local animal rescues and provides pet owners a fun day out with their furry sidekicks. Ultimate Air Dogs, the premier dock jumping organization, will be on site to present an amazing show. In addition to enjoying the Ultimate Air Dogs competition, you can also enter fun contests ranging from “Best Trick” to “Pet-Owner Look-A-Like” and attend micro-seminars covering a variety of popular pet topics. Numerous pet-related vendors will also be on site, offering a firsthand look at their products and information on their services. The event will also include music and food trucks to round out a full day of entertainment. Last year’s Pet Extravaganza raised over 10,000 pounds of dog and cat food and over 20 dogs and cats were adopted. Come enjoy this year’s event and help save even more local animals in need. Visit www.wakeforestnc.gov and search “Dirty Dogs” for more information.

STAY CONNECTED! 

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