Celebrate Memorial Day, Wake Forest NCCelebrate Memorial DayWake Forest, NC

Next picnic: date coming soon

An Old Fashioned Memorial Day Picnic

Free NC barbecue, military vehicle rides, live music, a children’s obstacle course, parades and much more, to honor veterans and give thanks for God’s providence in our nation’s history.

Open to the public, rain or shine, at 3721 Quarry Rd, Wake Forest, NC.

See the program RSVP on Facebook
A blue Ford tractor flying an American flag leads the parade past the pond, with army trucks behind Young women serving barbecue plates under the tent beside the pond Children working through the obstacle course with shovels and sandbags An olive-drab army truck with a flag parked on the grass by the pond The Front Porch Kids playing mandolin and fiddle on the bunting-draped stage Families on lawn chairs and picnic blankets eating lunch under the trees
Veterans in VFW caps sitting together in the front row under the tent
Two smiling boys in striped shirts, one wearing a medal

What the day holds

  • Trays of homemade NC barbecue and slaw

    Free NC Barbecue

  • A boy crawling under the children's obstacle course

    Children’s Obstacle Course

  • Children riding in the back of an army truck flying flags

    Military Vehicle Rides

  • A girl playing fiddle on stage beneath red, white and blue bunting

    Live Music

  • A family picnicking on blankets and lawn chairs

    Family-Friendly Event

Bring the whole family

Bring the whole family to Celebrate Memorial Day with free NC barbecue, military vehicle rides, live music, a children’s obstacle course, parades, and much more.

Celebrate Memorial Day was created by Hope Baptist Church to honor veterans and give thanks for God’s providence in our nation’s history.

3721 Quarry Rd
Wake Forest, NC 27587

This event is open to the public, rain or shine. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and picnic blankets!

Get directions in Google Maps

Veteran Bill Brown and his wife Mary smiling under the tent Veterans of all ages

The order of the day

  1. 9:00 – 10:30
    • Military Vehicle Rides & Games
  2. 10:30 – 12:25
    • Front Porch Kids lead “I’ll Fly Away”
    • Speakers, WWII veterans’ interviews and Dan the Animal Man
  3. 12:25 – 1:20
    • Lunch and music – Front Porch Kids
  4. 2:00 – 2:40
    • Parade
  5. 3:00 – 3:20
    • David Lanier reads casualty list

From the most recent published program. The next year’s line-up will be posted when it’s ready.

The full program & speakers
Bill Potter interviewing a World War II veteran on stage
Bill Potter interviews a World War II veteran on the tent stage.

The Celebrate Memorial Day picnic in Wake Forest is one of the best community gatherings celebrating some of our nation’s most cherished values—faith, family, and freedom. I have thoroughly enjoyed this event and I invite you to come out and celebrate Memorial Day with your friends and family.

– Lt. Governor Dan Forest

I have attended the Celebrate Memorial Day picnic just about every year they’ve had it. It’s a wonderful event in a gorgeous setting of open spaces and beautiful ponds, a time of precious fellowship with friends from the community.

– Former NC House Representative J. Russell Capps

Questions? Bringing a large group?

(919) 307-5010