🌳Happy (Early) Independence Day!

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Happy (early) Independence Day, WYR neighbors!

“We needed this rain.”

How many times did you hear that this past week? Well, great news, this 4th of July weekend is shaping up to be clear skies! Perfect for the Independence Day celebrations happening around the Wake Forest, Youngsville, and Rolesville areas. So get ready for some hot dogs, big booms, and more red, white, and blue attire than you thought possible.

In today’s edition of The WYRe:

The official Independence Day celebrations for Wake Forest and Rolesville
The unofficial official insider viewing spots

Let's get to it.

— Dave & Egle

From the Editor’s Desk
We want to apologize for Monday’s misprint. We reported that Youngsville was having a fireworks celebration called Red, White & Boom! While that is true, it’s occurring in Youngsville, Louisiana, not North Carolina. 🤦

We always try to bring you accurate information so you can enjoy your town. Thanks for sticking with us!

— Dave

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Thursday

Your Fourth of July field guide

We love this holiday—and to do it right, you need a little local know-how.

Fireworks! 🎆 🎇
July 3: Heritage High lights up the sky in Wake Forest
Wake Forest does fireworks the night before the Fourth, and they don’t hold back. Heritage High School turns into the ultimate launch pad for a big, colorful display that kicks off around 9:30 PM.

Gates open at 5:30 PM. You’ll want to get there early to grab a good spot.

Bonus: live music (the Ray Band) and a whole fleet of food trucks. (Local tip: grab a gyro from Charlie’s Kabob Grill or fresh kettle corn from Blazing Kettle.)

Heads up on parking & traffic
Heritage High gets packed. Rogers and Forestville Roads can back up fast, so if you can, arrive before 7 PM or ride your bike in via the Smith Creek Greenway (just bring a flashlight - there are no lights on the greenway).

Leave the pets, glass bottles, tents, and personal fireworks at home—Wake Forest has pretty strict rules.

👉 More details here

Photo courtesy of Triangle on the Cheap

The unofficial official insider viewing spots

Not a fan of massive crowds or just don’t want to deal with the traffic getting out of Heritage High School? We don’t blame you. Check out these alternate viewing spots for the Wake Forest fireworks.

Red, White & Brew Fireworks Bash @ Blackbird Brewery
Your front-row seat to the Town of Wake Forest’s stunning fireworks show, cold drinks, live music, and delicious food.

Insider tip: The plaza where the Blackbird Brewery is located is a prime fireworks viewing spot. Unless you’re attending the actual Fireworks Spectacular event, you’re not getting a better view.

Don’t believe us? Check out this picture taken from the hill in front of Summer Moon Coffee from 2024’s Wake Forest fireworks from The WYRe reader, Bethany Y.

Thanks for the picture, Bethany!

Source: Bethany Y.

Firework After Party @ Lonerider Hideout in WF
Whether you’re hanging out at the Hideout or just sitting on your tailgate in the parking lot behind the Factory, this is a great place to view the fireworks at Heritage High School. While you won’t be able to hear the band and will only be able to see the really big fireworks, this is a great place area if you have little kids or just don’t want to deal with the traffic.

Friday

July 4: Bikes, crafts, and then ramp up for another epic night
While the fireworks are on Thursday, Wake Forest still keeps the celebration going Friday morning. Then end the evening with round 2 in Rolesville.

Children’s Bike & Wagon Parade: 10:30 AM. Line-up at N Main & W Juniper by 10. Parade route winds through the seminary and ends at the Community House. All kids are invited to hop on their bikes or be pulled along in a wagon. This event is free, and registration is not required. Helmets are a must.

👉 Children’s Parade Info

Art & More in the Park: Roll straight from the parade to the free arts, crafts, and hot dogs from 11 AM–1 PM at the Community House. Wake Forest Fire Dept. is manning the grill, and prior registration is not required.

👉 Art in the Park

🎇Rolesville lights it up at Redford Place Park
Rolesville’s big 4th of July Celebration happens Friday, July 4, at Redford Place Park, and it’s the perfect blend of food, music, and fireworks.

Everything kicks off at 5 PM, when the park fills with food trucks, bounce houses, yard games, and local vendors ready to keep the whole family entertained.

At 6 PM, The Embers featuring Craig Woolard take the stage with their signature Carolina beach music that always gets the crowd dancing. The show builds up to a fireworks finale planned for around 9:15 PM, which you can see from pretty much anywhere in the park.

Know before you go
Main Street closes to traffic at 4 PM, so be sure to check the town’s parking maps and detour routes before you head out. If you want a good spot near the stage or the food trucks, arriving early is your best bet.

👉 More info here

Photo courtesy of Rolesville NCPR

Saturday

Rejuvenate from the fireworks and festivities with some fresh veggies, fruits, seafood, and more at the Wake Forest Farmers Market from 8 -12 PM. Bring the kids along, and they can get their faces painted! ($)
Event details here

Celebrate National Hawaii Day at MK Creative Studio with Art & Soul Sisters from 2-4 PM ($)
Event details here

End the night dreaming of the beach with a date night at MK Creative Studio for a paint and sip event hosted by Art & Soul Sisters ($)
Event details here

_{This section’s not sponsored. We just think it’s stuff worth knowing. We’ll always tell you when something’s sponsored.}

LET US KNOW

Which fireworks show do you plan on attending? Wake Forest? Rolesville? Both? Let us know!

Which firework celebrations do you plan on attending?

Then tag us on Instagram (@thewrye_newsletter) showing us your view!