2026 Good Neighbor Day
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 1-4 p.m.
E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road
The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) will sponsor Good Neighbor Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 1-4 pm. This free, family-friendly event will take place at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.
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 everyone in Wake Forest.
Thousands of Wake Forest-area community members have participated in Good Neighbor Day since its inception in 2006. Offering food, dancing, local musicians, a DJ, prizes, and recreational activities for both children and adults, this family-oriented celebration promises something for everyone.
The HRC encourages diversity and promotes goodwill among everyone in Wake Forest. Good Neighbor Day serves as a catalyst for carrying out the town’s vision of “building a community populated by diverse groups whose common bond is a love of our town.”
Schedule of Events
Coming soon!
2026 Activities & Exhibits
- Balloon Art
- Bracelet Making provided by the Human Relations Council
- Cake Samples provided by Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Coloring Activity provided by Wake Forest Women’s Club
- Diaper Changing Station provided by Lightbridge Academy
- DJ Music
- Face Painting
- Faith Tabernacle Youth Choir
- Free Hot Dogs – while supplies last - provided by the Human Relations Council
- Friendship Baptist Church - MLK Scholarship Committee
- Home Depot Building Activity
- Leader of Wake Lodge #285
- Lion’s Club - Reading Glasses Fitting
- Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry
- Wake County Foster Care Program
- Warm Café
- Wake Forest Community Youth Orchestra
- Wake Forest Presbyterian Church
- Wake Forest United Methodist Church
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are critical to the success of the event and needed at various times between noon and 5 p.m. Volunteer duties will be general in nature and may include setting up, cleaning up, answering questions, and assisting attendees.
Local civic groups and community organizations are especially encouraged to participate, along with local students interested in earning community service hours.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer, email Human Resources Director Angela McCray.
Good Neighbor of the Year
A special part of this year's Good Neighbor Day will be the presentation of the Good Neighbor of the Year Award.
The honor will be presented to one local youth and one adult who consistently demonstrate an unfailing commitment to preserving, maintaining and improving the quality of life in their neighborhood and community. Completed nomination forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31.
Inclement Weather
In the event of rain, Good Neighbor Day may be rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27. Weather-related updates will be posted on the Town website, Nextdoor site, and Facebook page.
Smart phone users who have downloaded the Town app will also receive a push notification message concerning any schedule changes.
Please note: Due to the popularity of Good Neighbor Day, organizers will make every effort to proceed with the event as scheduled. However, when severe weather threatens, the safety of visitors, sponsors and performers is our chief priority. As a result, decisions on whether to continue or cancel are based entirely on the potential risks posed by inclement weather.
Special Thanks
We would like to extend a special thank you to Hot Bunz, Inc. and Nothing Bundt Cakes for their support of Good Neighbor Day.
Thank you to Hot Bunz, Inc. distributor of Martin’s Hot Dog Buns for providing the hot dog buns and to Nothing Bundt Cakes for providing free cake samples.
We truly appreciate your support!