Many benefits are bestowed upon those who - smartly - arrive early to Wake Forest’s Independence Day Celebration at Heritage High School: a good parking spot, short lines at the food trucks, and first choice of the ideal location throughout the two fields and adjacent abundant acreage. But whenever one arrives for the July 3rd event, all are treated to one of the most aesthetic, energetic, and heartfelt Fourth of July festivals found anywhere.
By consolidating the event and moving the 16 food trucks from the faraway basketball courts to the parking lot next to the stadium, the event now draws more than 20,000 spectators. Originally organized by a volunteer group starting in 1973 and assumed by the Town in 2018, the event continues to impress every year.
Led by the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department, along with assistance from various other Town departments, the organizers of the Town’s largest annual event are committed to constantly improving to ensure the best possible experience for every attendee. Indeed, from the parking to the people, the food and music, camaraderie and cooperation, the high quality of the event is in close keeping with the ever-increasing quality of life in the Town of Wake Forest.
Mike Layden — one of the very first among the hundreds who came through the gates at 5:30 — briefly had a front-row seat in the field opposite center stage — until someone parked their chairs even closer in front of him.
“I guess this isn’t the front row anymore,” he said good-naturedly while waiting for his grandkids visiting from Colorado to return.
Just his second time at the Wake Forest celebration, which he saw advertised online, Layden previously spent the Fourth at 5-County Stadium watching the Carolina Mudcats. Mostly there for and looking forward to the live music, Layden happily settled into his second-row but still premium location to enjoy all the festivities scheduled over the next three hours from one of the best seats in the house.
Greg and Beth Dixon have lived in Wake Forest since 1980, when there were just 3,000 people living in town. They and their family of adult children and grandkids have sat in the same spot above and to the right of the stadium for 25 years. Dixon’s daughter Taylor Zundel was among those in the first graduating class of Heritage High School in 2014.
Having served 20 years with the Wake Forest Police Department — when he recalled walking the fireworks beat a few times — Dixon said he feels a lot better watching them than working them.
Bonnie and Dan McCasky moved to Wake Forest from Ohio 30 years ago but never attended this event until this year. Formerly watching on television and other places in person, Bonnie said this was the first time they decided to see them at Heritage. “We love Wake Forest,” she said. “This is a perfect spot. A little hot, but we’ll be happy when the sun goes down.”
As temperatures begin to cool, the crowd heats up, filling nearly every available space on the fields and pathways. Collective energy and anticipation build while the provided musical entertainment—this year led by the Tyson Brothers and the Band of Oz—prepares attendees for the 18-minute fireworks finale, which culminates in a cathartic and patriotic explosion of sound and fury that has its own special meaning for everyone.
Alas, all good things must come to an end. But even that is done with purpose, precision, and near perfection — ensuring the orderly exit of people and traffic as quickly and safely as possible. The longstanding celebration continues the next day with the children’s parade on North Main Street and “Art in the Park” at the Wake Forest Community House.
And a week after it’s over, Parks and Recreation Director Ruben Wall says it’s time to start planning again for next year’s celebration. Starting with a debrief from this year’s event, monthly planning committee meetings start in January, involving 25 people and multiple departments.
“There’s a lot of moving parts, but we have a great team,” Wall said. “The best part for me is just watching people enjoy the event.” The biggest challenge, Wall said, is communicating behind the scenes, focusing on everyone’s safety, and ensuring everything goes smoothly.
“Wake Forest’s Fourth of July celebration is nothing short of extraordinary and such a testament to the outstanding quality of life our residents enjoy,” said Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership (WFBIP). “The Town makes this look like clockwork, but, of course, we know it isn’t. A tremendous level of organization and facilitation are required,” continues Cannon. “However, there’s no doubt it’s worth it. It’s opportunities like these where our special community is brought together as one, and what finer purpose than to celebrate our nation’s enduring freedom.”
