Good morning, Wake Forest.

The Northeast Community Coalition is partnering with the Town of Wake Forest to host the free Juneteenth Celebration on June 20—21, starting with a community gathering at Taylor Street Park on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. On Saturday, a walking parade will begin at 9 a.m. and be followed by a Freedom Historical Walk and family activities at Dubois School Campus while the Ailey Young House is open from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A Wake County deputy chased a 25-year-old driver after he fled a traffic stop on Jones Sausage Road near I-40 in Garner — the pursuit crossed into Johnston County on NC 42 where he was taken into custody on May 20.

Wake County will test water quality weekly at popular lakes starting this week and continuing through Labor Day weekend — spots include Beaverdam, Sandling Beach and Lake Wheeler.

The county will post color-coded signs — green for safe, yellow for elevated bacteria after rain, and red for closures — so visitors can safely plan their swims.

Wake Forest officials report that approvals cleared the way for utility, streetlight, and retaining wall improvements on the South Franklin Street Widening Project.

Pipe crews will return the week of May 26, wall construction will begin the week of June 2, and roadway work is expected to start mid-June — with final completion aimed for late October to early November.

Wake Forest will open a downtown social district on June 5 at noon where residents can drink alcoholic beverages purchased from participating businesses on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from noon to 9:00 p.m.—the district covers parts of South White, Wait, East Jones, East Owen, Elm, and South Brooks streets and requires customers to use designated cups with a social district sticker.

On Tuesday night, the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the defending champion Florida Panthers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh — a rematch of the 2023 series where the Panthers won all four games by one goal.

Both teams, known for top penalty-kill records, are expected to battle hard as the series unfolds.

Jim Lauderdale Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Wake Forest Listening Room — Ticket prices vary — Experience an evening with the Americana music legend Jim Lauderdale showcasing his latest album.

Adeem the Artist

7:30 PM – 1:30 AM — The Wake Forest Listening Room — Ticket prices vary — Experience the poetic storytelling of Adeem, a seventh-generation Carolinian singer-songwriter.

Couldn't Be Happiers

7:30 PM - 1:30 AM — The Wake Forest Listening Room — Ticket info TBD — Enjoy an engaging performance from a lively folk-rock/Americana duo.