Wake Forest Fish Fry This Weekend: Tomorrow, Friday April 17
Tomorrow, Friday, April 17, Wake Forest Fire Station #1 at 420 Elm Ave. is hosting the annual Fish Fry from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until plates run out. Each plate is $10 and includes fried flounder, boiled potatoes, coleslaw, and hush puppies. Dine in or drive-thru. Delivery available for orders of 15 or more plates. Proceeds benefit the Wake Forest Firefighters Foundation. Info at 919-556-1966.
Wake Forest events this weekend: Forest Fest, Fish Fry, and more
Among the Wake Forest events this weekend, Forest Fest takes over downtown with vendors, food trucks, live music, and free giveaways this Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine. The free, family-friendly event spans East Owen Avenue, Brooks Street, and the Town Hall parking lot at 301 S. Brooks St.
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Highlights include an Inclusive Market on South Brooks Street featuring businesses owned by or employing people with disabilities, extended Farmers Market hours (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) along South Taylor Street, the Raleigh Mobile Petting Zoo, and kids’ activities from the Kerr Family YMCA.
Entertainment at Centennial Plaza runs all day: a DJ at 10 a.m., the InterActive Theatre of Jef at 11 a.m., bilingual musical storyteller Luke Vandergriff at 12:30 p.m., and Blooming in the Forest, a local floral arrangement competition.
Food trucks on-site include The Naked Empanada, Hot Chixs Hotcakes and Chicken, Blazing Kettle, Little Halos, and Buoy Bowls.
As part of Forest Fest, the Town’s annual Arbor Day Tree Seedling Giveaway will distribute more than 3,300 dogwood, persimmon, and oak seedlings from the Town Hall parking lot. Quantities are limited.
Free Paper Shredding and Electronics Recycling This Wake Forest Weekend
Also Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the trucks are full), the Town is hosting a free Paper Shredding and Electronics Recycling Event in the parking lot of the Wake Forest Center for Active Aging, 235 E. Holding Ave. Use the East Holding Avenue entrance for the drive-thru drop-off.
There is a limit of four banker-box-sized boxes or four large bags of paper per household, one trip per household. Remove all non-paper materials (plastic binders, metal tabs) before arrival.
Electronics accepted include laptops, cell phones, circuit boards, keyboards, VCRs, and radios. Contact Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson at 919-435-9585 or jjohnson@wakeforestnc.gov.
Community Garden Plant Sale Fundraiser: This Saturday, April 18
The Wake Forest Community Garden Plant Sale Fundraiser takes place this Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to noon at 407 Wait Ave. in downtown Wake Forest. It’s a “pay what you can” fundraiser to help establish a community garden in downtown Wake Forest. Native and ornamental plants are available at prices you choose. Proceeds go toward tools, soil, seeds, and supplies to transform an empty lot into a shared green space. Open to all residents and plant lovers.
Canned Food Drive at the Farmers Market Saturday
The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) will be at the Farmers Market on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting non-perishable food donations, including canned meats, fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, and cereal. No glass containers. All donations go directly to local mini food pantries. Contact Andrew Brown, Jr. at abrown@wakeforestnc.gov.
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Free Car Seat Check with WFPD and Target, April 28
The Wake Forest Police Department and Target are partnering to offer a free Car Seat Check and Installation Event on Tuesday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Wake Forest Target, 12000 Retail Dr. Certified technicians will check installations, confirm age and size appropriateness, and advise on manufacturer recall registration. No appointment needed. Rain date: May 1. Can’t make it? Call WFPD at 919-554-6150 to schedule a separate appointment.
Autism Awareness T-Shirts from WFFD on Sale Through April 30
The Wake Forest Fire Department is selling custom Autism Awareness T-shirts through April 30 at wakeforestnc.gov/marketplace. Sizes range from youth to 3XL, priced from $18.59 to $22.24. Three dollars from every shirt sold goes to the Autism Society of NC. Contact Firefighter Brice Strickland at bstrickland@wakeforestnc.gov.
Girls Youth Volleyball Registration Open
The Town’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department is accepting volleyball registrations for girls ages 9 to 16. Registration is $60 for residents and $100 for non-residents via Team Sideline. Late registration runs May 1 to 8 with a $15 fee if spots remain. Age eligibility is determined by a player’s age on Sept. 1, 2026. Volunteer coaches are also needed. Contact Erica Shingleton at 919-435-9457 or eshingleton@wakeforestnc.gov.
National Trails Day 5K/3K at Joyner Park, June 6
Registration is open for the National Trails Day 5K/3K at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, on Saturday, June 6. Check-in begins at 7 a.m., race start at 8 a.m. Volunteers are needed between 6:45 and 11 a.m. for setup, cleanup, registration, water stations, and medal distribution. Local civic groups and students seeking community service hours are especially encouraged to volunteer. Sign up at bit.ly/WFNationalTrailsDay or email Jada Smith at jsmith@wakeforestnc.gov.
Tom Baker IV is the publisher of Wake Forest Matters, Wake Forest's only independent local newsroom. A Wake Forest native, Navy veteran, and intelligence professional, Tom launched Wake Forest Matters to bring serious accountability journalism to his hometown. Tips and story ideas: publisher@wakeforestmatters.com
Tom Baker IV is the publisher of Wake Forest Matters, Wake Forest's only independent local newsroom. A Wake Forest native, Navy veteran, and intelligence professional, Tom launched Wake Forest Matters to bring serious accountability journalism to his hometown. Tips and story ideas: publisher@wakeforestmatters.com
