WAKE FOREST, NC – Fireworks, food trucks, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more await you at Wake Forest’s 2026 Independence Day Celebration. Presented by Capital Chevrolet, this year’s celebration marks the 53rd anniversary of our community’s most popular summertime event promising two days’ worth of free fun and excitement for the entire family. For complete details, visit bit.ly/WFIndependenceDay(opens in a new tab).
Fireworks Spectacular
The Independence Day festivities get underway Friday, July 3, with the Fireworks Spectacular inside Husky Stadium on the campus of Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins just after 6 p.m. During the 7:30 p.m. intermission, the Wake Forest Fire Department Honor Guard will present the colors, Casey Eaton will perform the National Anthem, and veterans in attendance will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Please note: No firearms, glass, alcohol, pets, smoking, tents, stakes, or shade structures are allowed on the school campus.
Entertainment
The Swingin’ Medallions will headline this year’s celebration and take the stage at 6:20 p.m. A Southern tradition since 1962, the group’s signature high-energy style delights audiences of all ages. Their act, as well as their music, is timeless. Featuring an ever-popular horn section, the group effectively blends the sounds and music of yesterday and today. The band has performed throughout the nation in thousands of venues. Their diverse repertoire has made them overwhelming favorites with college audiences as well as the more mature rock and rollers.
The Fireworks Spectacular will conclude with an unforgettable 20-minute fireworks display beginning around 9:30 p.m.
Food & Dessert Trucks
A variety of food and dessert trucks will be onsite, including Kona Ice of Raleigh, Blazing Kettle, Magnificent Concessions, Frios Gourmet Pops Raleigh, Sweet Treat Express Cotton Candy, Bruster's Real Ice Cream, Bobastic, Sunshine Slushies, Flower Child Lemonades and Goodies, Sweet Southern Snowballs, Chirba Chirba, Smash Masters, Lawrence & Perry Barbeque, Charlies Kabob on Wheels, La Katrina Tacos, The Flat Drum, Fancy Faye's, Buoy Bowls, and Dinkers’ Nuts.
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, Heritage Elementary School, 3500 Rogers Road, and Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rogers Road.
Parking is prohibited along Forestville Road and Foundation Drive. In addition, some parking lots in the area may appear to be public, when in fact they are private. Private lots are intended for business patrons only. Due to the high volume of attendees expected, area residents are encouraged to make plans with family members and friends to carpool to Heritage High School.
Rideshare Pick up, Drop Off
For the safety of all attendees and to help reduce traffic entering and exiting Heritage High School, anyone planning to take a rideshare, such as Go Wake Forest, Uber, Lyft, or taxi to the Fireworks Spectacular, is encouraged to utilize Heritage Elementary School, 3500 Rogers Road, which has been designated as the event drop off and pick up 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.
During the week of June 29, an event map highlighting important points of interest at this year's Fireworks Spectacular, including parking, restrooms and more, will be available on the Town website at bit.ly/WFIndependenceDay(opens in a new tab).
Children’s Parade
The Independence Day revelry continues Saturday, July 4, with the popular Children’s Parade sponsored by the Wake Forest Community Partners. Area youngsters are invited to hop on their bicycles and be a part of their very own “walking parade.” The lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St. The procession will get underway at 10:30 a.m.
Participation in the Children’s Parade is free, but bicyclists are encouraged to wear their helmets. Please note: Wake Forest Police will be on hand to manage traffic and help ensure the safety of the parade participants.
Art & More in the Park
The Independence Day festivities will conclude at Holding Park, 133 W. Owen Ave., with Art & More in the Park from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The Wake Forest Woman’s Club will offer free arts and crafts activities inside the Wake Forest Community House, also located at 133 W. Owen Ave., including the creation of various patriotic-themed crafts for all ages and cupcake decorating. In addition, the Wake Forest Fire Department will provide free hotdogs, chips, and water in the gravel parking lot across the street from the Community House and distribute useful information on fire prevention and safety.
Commemorative T-Shirts
Wake Forest is honoring America’s 250th birthday by selling commemorative T-shirts for $24.40 each plus tax and shipping at https://bit.ly/WFIndependenceDay. Available in a variety of adult sizes, the navy-blue T-shirts prominently display the 250-year anniversary logo on the left chest and on the back.
Attendees spotted wearing the commemorative T-shirt during the July 3 Fireworks Spectacular at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, will be eligible to receive a Torchy’s Tacos coupon good for one free queso.
Thank You Sponsors
The following sponsors have generously contributed to the 2026 Independence Day Celebration: Capital Chevrolet, Walters Insurance Agency, Hawthorne Residential Partners, Elevate Oral Surgery Group, Vision Martial Arts, Renewal by Andersen, Lightbridge Academy, Emerald Family Dentistry, Primrose School of Heritage Wake Forest, Christian Brothers Automotive, Wake Forest Charter Academy, Edward Jones, Triangle Family Dentistry, Yard Party, Hope Lutheran Church, Wake Forest Woman's Club, and Wake Forest Community Partners.