Fireworks Spectacular food truck vendor applications accepted through March 30
The Town of Wake Forest is accepting applications from food truck vendors interested in participating in the 2026 Fireworks Spectacular through Monday, March 30.
The fee is $175, and the event includes space for up to 18 food vendors.
This year’s Fireworks Spectacular is scheduled for Friday, July 3, at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., but food trucks are required to arrive and set up between 2:30 and 3 p.m.
Participating food trucks are required to obtain all necessary Wake County permits, including a Mobile Food Unit (MFU) permit or Temporary Food Event (TFE) permit, and provide a signed copy of the Town contract and current Food Establishment Inspection Grade Card (minimum of 90 percent – Grade A). Each vendor must also complete a background screening and provide a copy of its Certificate of Insurance designating the Town of Wake Forest as an additional insured for the event date and a copy of automobile liability insurance. A minimum of $1 million in insurance is required for both.
The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will notify selected food truck vendors on Monday, April 13. For more information, contact PRCR Special Events Coordinator Casey Weidner at 919-435-9555 or cweidner@wakeforestnc.gov.
2026 Fireworks Spectacular
Friday, July 3
Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road
Gates Open - 5:30 pm
Fireworks Show - Begins around 9:30 pm
Presented by Capital Chevrolet, the 2025 Fireworks Spectacular will be Friday, July 3, at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road.
Admission is free. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
The fireworks show will begin at around 9:30 p.m.
Parking
Both regular and accessible parking (by identification only) will be available in designated areas on the campuses of Heritage High School, Heritage Middle School, 3400 Rogers Road, and Heritage Elementary School, 3500 Rogers Road. Parking will also be available at Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rogers Road.
Some parking lots in the area may appear to be public, when in fact they are private. Read all signage in the lot to determine what type of lot you are using. Private lots are intended for business patrons only.
Regular and accessible parking is available on a first come, first served basis. Since parking may be limited, area residents are encouraged to make plans with family members and friends to carpool to Heritage High School.
Please note: Parking will not be permitted along Forestville Road or Foundation Drive.
Rideshare Pick Up, Drop Off
Rideshare Address: Heritage Elementary School, 3500 Rogers Road
If you plan to take a rideshare, such as Go Wake Forest, Uber, Lyft, or taxi to the Fireworks Spectacular, Heritage Elementary School, 3500 Rogers Road, is our designated drop off and pick up area.
For the safety of all attendees and to help reduce traffic entering and exiting Heritage High School, please utilize this designated area.
Motorists
Due to the popularity of the Fireworks Spectacular, motorists should expect delays along all roads in the vicinity of Heritage High School, especially Rogers Road, Forestville Road and Heritage Lake Road.
Anyone planning to attend is encouraged to make plans with family members and friends to carpool to Heritage High School.
Anyone not planning to attend the Fireworks Spectacular is encouraged to avoid the area and choose an alternate route.
Weather Updates
In case of inclement weather, updated information will be posted on the Town website and the Town Facebook page.
In addition, smartphone users who have downloaded the Town of Wake Forest app will receive a push notification message informing them of any schedule changes.
Crowd Release Notice
This is a public event held in a public place. Your likeness may be captured by the Town of Wake Forest for use in promotional, news, or informational media. Participation in this activity implies your consent to such uses. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter the event area.
Why are Fireworks on July 3?
We get this question a lot. Here's why...
For over four decades, Wake Forest’s Independence Day festivities were organized by the Fourth of July Planning Committee, an all-volunteer organization comprised of a passionate and dedicated group of community members. When the committee introduced the fireworks show in the early 1970s, Wake Forest’s population stood at just over 3,000 people. The committee scheduled the event on July 3, instead of July 4, to avoid conflicting with larger fireworks shows in neighboring communities.
For over 50 years, that scheduling has served our community quite well. Besides giving community members the opportunity to enjoy an outstanding fireworks show in Wake Forest on July 3 - and again somewhere else the following day - the July 4 Children’s Parade and Art in the Park paved the way for Wake Forest to emerge as one of only a handful of communities to offer a two-day Independence Day Celebration – a tradition that continues to this day.