🌳 Rec League Registration, A Retirement Announcement, and a BIG Shoe Sale

Happy New Year, W.Y.R. neighbors!

We hope you enjoyed your Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Things are getting back into swing as the non-full-year schools come off their Winter break (is anyone else ready for that?). If you have any New Year’s Eve or Noon Year’s Eve photos to share, we’d love to see them! You can tag The WYRe Newsletter (@thewyre_newsletter) on Instagram.

In today’s edition of The WYRe:

Let's get to it.

— Dave & Egle

Youngsville Parks & Recreation opens registration for youth baseball and softball on January 1. It’s an easy thing to forget once the holiday chaos hits, so consider this your gentle reminder to get it on the calendar and avoid the late-registration scramble. Spots are limited!

REGISTER HERE

Buck, the longtime owner of Lumpy’s Ice Cream in downtown Wake Forest, announced he is retiring and has officially listed the beloved shop for sale. The news broke around Christmas and quickly sparked a wave of local memories, well-wishes, and appreciation for a place that has been part of countless childhoods, first dates, and after-game treats over the years.

The good news is that Lumpy’s is still open and operating with normal hours. If you have been meaning to stop in or want one more scoop while Buck is still there, now is a great time to visit. Keep an eye on Lumpy’s social pages for updates on what comes next.

If you frequent Flaherty Dog Park with a large pup, starting Monday, January 5, the large dog park area will be closed for maintenance and repairs while work is underway. The closure is temporary, but it is a good week to rotate in neighborhood walks or smaller parks until it reopens. Updates will come from the Town of Wake Forest as progress continues.

MORE INFO HERE

Do you know a food truck or local pop-up that loves participating in community events? Wake Forest PRCR opens food vendor applications on January 5 for its 2026 town events, including movie nights, concerts, festivals, and more. If you have a favorite truck or run one yourself, this is the moment to get on the Town’s radar early for next year’s event calendar.

MORE INFO AND APPLICATIONS HERE

Town offices in Wake Forest, Youngsville, and Rolesville will be closed on January 1st for the New Year’s Day Holiday

Wake Forest
Thursday trash and recycling routes will be collected on Friday, and Friday routes will be collected on Saturday. Collection will run one day later than normal and extend into Saturday.

New Year’s Day Party
📍 Yacht Club Beverage House | 2 - 5 PM | Free

Continue ringing in the new year with live music, special drinks, and recovery ramen, perfect for anyone looking to celebrate with friends.

SG Hiking Program – Special New Year’s Day 2026 Hike
📍 Saving Grace Animals for Adoption | 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM | 🎟️

Join them for a special New Year's Day Hike! Fresh air, great company, and an opportunity to make a difference.

1st Day Hike
📍 Falls Lake State Recreation Area (Rolling View, Shelter 12) | 11 AM - 12 PM | Free

A classic First Day Hike close to home, perfect for a fresh-start walk without committing your whole day.

3rd Annual Chili Cook Off
📍 Blackbird Brewery | 2 PM - 5 PM | Ticket sales have ended, but you can still show up

Chili, football energy, and a taproom afternoon that feels like the cure for a late night.

Vinyl Night
📍 Bird’s Nest at Blackbird | 5 PM - 10 PM | Free

Bring your favorite records (or just show up) and let someone else handle the playlist while you unwind.

Hammered Trivia Music Bingo With Pointers BBQ
📍 Greenway Beer & Wine | 5 PM | Free

Enjoy music bingo and delicious BBQ, perfect for a fun night out with friends and family.

MASSIVE Shoe Sale | Warehouse Sale Pop-Up Shoe Store (Women's & Men's Shoes)
📍Temporary Pop-Up Shoe Store | 6270 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612 | 10 AM | 🎟️

A temporary warehouse sale from Friday, January 2nd to Sunday, January 11th, offering a massive selection of women's and men's shoes, ideal for bargain hunters looking for new footwear.

Final Day - Arts Access NC Exhibit: From Paper to Pixel
📍 Wake Forest Renaissance Centre | 9 AM - 12 PM | Free

Last-chance morning window to pop in for a quick, family-friendly art stop featuring accessible works and mixed media pieces.

Pickleball Open Play (JPCC)
📍 Joyner Park Community Center | 6:15 AM - 11:30 AM | Free for residents

Adult Basketball Open Play (JPCC)
📍 Joyner Park Community Center | 12 PM - 1:30 PM | Free for residents

Competitive Volleyball Games (JPCC)
📍 Joyner Park Community Center | 2 PM - 5 PM | Free for residents

Pickleball Open Play (FPCC)
📍 Flaherty Park Community Center | 8 AM - 11:45 AM | Free for residents

Pickleball Open Play (FPCC)
📍 Flaherty Park Community Center | 12:30 PM - 4 PM | Free for residents

January Kids Art Series: “Winter Wonders!”
📍 The Makery | 10 AM | 🎟️

A cozy art series where kids explore winter themes through creative projects, perfect for young artists who love the season.

Extreme Ice Cream Eating Challenge!
📍 Scoops on Main | 12 PM | $

A fun and competitive ice cream-eating contest, ideal for dessert fanatics and challenge-seekers of all ages.

Wake Forest Farmers Market (Winter Hours)
📍 Wake Forest Farmers Market | 9 AM - 12 PM | Free

Your Saturday reset: local produce, baked goods, and small vendors downtown.

The Squirrel Trail Run
📍 Falls Dam Parking Lot start | 9 AM | Free - but registration required

Home Depot Kids Workshop: Tow Truck
📍 The Home Depot (various locations) | 9 AM - 12 PM | Free

Free build-and-take workshop where kids make a toy tow truck and leave with the apron and pin.

Storytime
📍 Page 158 Books | 11 AM | Free

Storytime at the bookstore, then grab a treat nearby and stroll downtown.

Rally SUPER Show & Go (Indoors)
📍 The Wag Center | 8 AM - 12 PM | 🎟️

A low-pressure, run-for-fun rally day that’s perfect if you’re working on skills without the full show intensity.

Agility SUPER Show & Go
📍 The Wag Center | 12 PM - 4 PM | 🎟️

Agility runs in a practice-friendly format, great for confidence-building and ring practice.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Carolina Hurricanes 📍 Lenovo Center | Raleigh | 7 PM | 🎟️ Prime Saturday-night energy if you want a real event on the calendar and a loud arena vibe.

🏀 UVA Cavaliers vs NC State Wolfpack. Tip-off at 11 AM

🏀 UNC Tar Heels at SMU Mustangs. Tip-off at 2:15 PM

🏀 Duke Blue Devils at Florida State Seminoles. Tip-off at 3:45 PM

🏒 Colorado Avalanche vs Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drops at 7 PM

Teach Me to Crochet!
📍 The Knotty Sheep | 3 - 5 PM | $

Learn basic crochet techniques, from yarn selection to single crochet stitches, ideal for adults looking to start a new crafting hobby.

Starts, Turns & Speed Swim Camp
📍Granite Falls Swim & Athletic Club | 10:45 AM - 1:15 PM | 🎟️

Technique-focused swim clinic day for stronger starts, turns, and speed, great for competitive swimmers.

Winebrary Spicies January Meeting: “Heated Rivalry”
📍 The Winebrary | 6 PM - 8 PM | 🎟️

A book-club-style meetup for romance readers, very “bring your opinions and your favorite highlights.”

Pay-What-You-Can Yoga
📍 Compass Rose Brewery | 11 AM - 12 PM | 🎟️

Easy Sunday reset flow with a flexible donation model and a laid-back brewery vibe.

Cards Against Humanity Night
📍 Carolina Ale House Wake Forest | 7 PM | Free

An inaugural Cards Against Humanity game night for adults seeking hilariously inappropriate fun with like-minded people.

Trivia Night
📍 Fortnight Brewing Wake Forest | 7 PM | Free

Two full games of fast-paced trivia, including a "Smarter Than a 5th Grader" round and general knowledge.

Wake Preparatory Academy Open House
📍 Wake Preparatory Academy | 4 PM - 5 PM | Free

Pop in, tour the school, and get your questions answered if you’re exploring a new option for your kids.

Barnes & Noble Storytime (Crabtree Mall)
📍 Barnes & Noble (Crabtree Mall) | 11 AM - 11:30 AM | Free

A quick, easy win for little ones who love stories, and a nice indoor reset during winter break season.

Illuminate Art Walk
📍 Downtown Raleigh | 5 PM - 11 PM | Free

Last night to wander the city’s big, glowing art installations. Great for families, date night, or a stroll with hot chocolate.

Monthly Group Run (December Rescheduled)
📍 Run-N-Tri Outfitters Wake Forest | 6:30 PM | Free

Trivia Night
📍 Fortnight Brewing (Wake Forest) | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free

Team up with friends and see who actually knows random facts when it counts.

Music Bingo
📍 Blackbird Brewery | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free

Sing-along energy, prizes, and a very “let’s do something fun but not complicated” kind of night.

🏀 Duke Blue Devils at Louisville Cardinals. Tip-off at 7 PM

🏒 Dallas Stars vs Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drops at 7 PM

🏀 NC State Wolfpack at Boston College Eagles. Tip-off at 9 PM

Book Club at Bird’s Nest
📍 Blackbird Brewery | 5 PM - 10 PM | Free

Bring whatever you’re reading, grab a cozy spot, and settle into a low-key “bookish” brewery night (with a little perk menu for readers).

Hammered Trivia
📍 White Street Brewing Co. | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free

Team up and test your random knowledge over pints. Solid midweek “let’s get out of the house” plan.

Norse Brewing Run Club
📍 Norse Brewing Company | 7 PM - 8 PM | Free

Easy, social miles with a built-in reward: hanging out at Norse afterward.

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

50 🌡️ 31 | ☁️

52 🌡️ 31 | ☁️

43 🌡️ 35 | 🌧️

48 🌡️ 27 | ☀️

46 🌡️ 27 | 🌤️

57 🌡️ 35 | 🌤️

58 🌡️ 38 | 🌤️

Forecast captured on the Wednesday before this newsletter edition. The weather around here changes fast, so double‑check closer to the day before finalizing plans.

Killing The Void | The Cardinal Bar - WF | 9 PM-12 AM

Live Music | Gatehouse Tavern | 7-10 PM
Live Music | Wakefield Tavern | 7-10 PM
Chris Hooper | Tonic Bar | 7:30-10:30 PM
Crossroadz | Bud’s Tavern | 8-11 PM
Faster Than Boys Band | Real McCoys | 9 PM-12 AM
Solar Bear | The Cardinal Bar - WF | 9 PM-12 AM

Maverick Rose | Fortnight Brewing WF | 6-9 PM
Live Music | Wakefield Tavern | 7-10 PM
Jared Place | Tonic Bar | 7-10 PM
80s Unleashed | Bud’s Tavern | 8-11 PM
Killing The Void | Real McCoys | 9 PM-12 AM
Wagstaff Road | The Cardinal Bar - WF | 9 PM-12 AM

James Brickey | Burnt Barrel | 1-4 PM
Busker Night | Tonic Bar | 6-9 PM

Thanks for reading today’s edition of The WYRe. We wish you a Happy New Year!

See you around town!
TheWYReNewsletter.com

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