By Sherry L. Scoggins, Town of Wendell
Our Small Town with Big Charm is a hub of activity with community events from now until the end of 2017!
Wendell United Methodist Church’s Community Day
(Saturday, September 9, 2017 @ 8am-7pm)
Come and enjoy the Silent Auction, Bazaar, kids games (and prizes), a bake sale, food, and fun at this free-entry community event. Held at Wendell United Methodist Church, 129 North Main Street, Wendell NC. Fitzgerald’s Fish Fry is returning for 2017 and fish fry tickets are available in-advance. For more information or tickets, call 919.365.6266, email, or visit wendellumc.org.
Bluegrass Picnic Summer Series
(Saturday, September 9, 2017 @ 5-7pm)
Bring a chair or blanket and join neighbors on the Town Square for an evening of acoustic music by local artists. The Bluegrass Picnic Summer Series offers free, family-friendly concerts at the J. Ashley Wall Town Square, Third and Cypress Streets, Wendell NC. For more information, call 919.366.2266.
International Food and Music Festival
(Saturday, September 16, 2017 @ 11am-5pm)
Are you a foodie and welcome the opportunity to sample new foods? Check out this annual International Food Festival. Entry is free to this event held in and around J. Ashley Wall Town Square, Third and Cypress Streets, Wendell NC. Vendors will offer foods of many cultures available for purchase, and the Square’s pavilion will host entertainment from around the world. See more in this article.
Wendell Historical Society’s Reverse Raffle
(Thursday, September 21, 2017 @ 6-9pm)
The Wendell Historical Society is seeking to secure a site for a museum near the Town Square. Last year the Wendell Historical Society hosted its first Reverse Raffle in which nearly 400 people attended. This dinner event is being held at the Wendell Community Center, 601 W Third Street, Wendell NC. This is a ticketed event, with tickets available for $100 per couple, which includes a meal for two people, a chance to win:
- $10,000 grand prize
- $500 second prize
- $100 for every 25th ticket drawn
Raffle tickets are available by contacting a member of the Wendell Historical Society. For more information or tickets, call 919.971.9914, email, or visit www.wendellhistoricalsociety.com/Pages/default.aspx.
Harvest Festival
(Friday, October 6, 2017 @ 5-10pm & Saturday, October 7, 2017 @ 9am-10pm)
From humble beginnings as an arts festival in 1927, take part in Wendell’s longest running traditional community gathering: the Harvest Festival. Held on the J. Ashley Wall Town Square, Third and Cypress Streets, Wendell NC, and admission is free. Join the Wendell Chamber for this community festival that includes activities for all ages including a parade, children’s pumpkin derby, bingo, crafts, and local vendors. Tasty fair-like food will be for sale from food vendors. In the evening, join your neighbors on the Square for live music by The Embers. With questions, call 919.365.6318. More information on the Chamber website and its Facebook page.
Wendell Historical Society Presentation: Mrs. Hunter’s Five and Dime: A Collector’s Dream
(Thursday, October 19, 2017 @ 7pm)
The Wendell Historical Society meets quarterly for programs of local historical interest at the Covenant Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall, 125 S Selma Road, Wendell NC. The October program will be presented by Bob Williams of Raleigh, on the topic, “Mrs. Hunter’s Five and Dime: A Collector’s Dream.” Many folks growing up in Wendell have special memories of Ida Hunter’s dime store, a Wendell institution for more than 50 years. A visit to the toy section of Mrs. Hunter’s store inspired Williams to begin his collection of vintage toys, many of which were purchased from her. The program is sure to bring back memories of the store that sold a little of everything. This presentation is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.wendellhistoricalsociety.com, call 919.365.6313, or email.
Treat Trail
(Friday, October 27, 2017 @ 5-8pm)
Looking for a safe and SPOOKtacular outing for your young ghouls and goblins? Join us on the free-for-kids Treat Trail at Wendell Community Park, 601 W Third Street, Wendell NC. The trail is non-scary for our patrons 12 years of age and under — they must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy a hay ride or walk the trail and get treats — passed out by businesses, churches, and local personalities. Moms and Dads can meet the local businesses and our young ghouls and goblins have a howling good time collecting treats along the trail.
The most creatively decorated vendor table receives a sweet treat from the Wendell Parks & Recreation Department. Join us on the Treat Trail for a ghoulishly splendid time. (Call 919.366.2266 if your business would like to hand out treats this year.)
The Treat Trail is in its natural flora state and meanders through the trees of Wendell Park. Beware of the tree roots as these may pose a challenge to persons with mobility limitations. See more at www.townofwendell.com/departments/parks-and-recreation. Note that in the case of inclement weather, this event may be cancelled.
Wendell Wonderland
(Friday, December 1, 2017 @ 5-11pm)
Kick-off the holiday season on the first Friday in December with Wendell Wonderland. Visit with Santa Claus; experience historic downtown with a trolley ride; be amazed by our magnificent Light Show containing more than 400,000 lights and holiday music; participate in activities such the cookie walk, live nativity, wood and ice carvings, and cantata. Visit the downtown businesses and see how they decorated for the holiday and then walk over to J Ashley Wall Square, Third and Cypress Streets, Wendell NC, and hear music performances, and more. Schedule includes:
- 5-6pm — Choir on stage at J Ashley Wall Square
- 5-9pm — Craft Market
- 5:30-9:30pm — Trolley circulates downtown Wendell
- 6pm — Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive
- 6-11pm — Light Show
If you can’t make it to Wendell Wonderland on the first Friday in December, the Light Show is open to the public throughout the holiday season. Located in Downtown Wendell at Third and Cypress Streets, this choreographed light show comes alive with dancing lights and music — beginning the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and running nightly through New Year’s Eve. The show will be canceled if rain or snow occurs. Event hours are 6-10pm on Sundays through Thursdays and 6-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Additional information about the Light Show available on the Lake Myra Christmas Lights website and its Facebook www.facebook.com/Lake-Myra-Christmas-Lights-185339531491448.
Wendell Historical Society’s 2017 Historic Wendell Christmas Tour
(Saturday, December 9, 2017 @ 1-5pm)
The Wendell Historical Society is hosting a 2017 Historic Wendell Christmas Tour, beginning at the Historic Wendell Post Office, 101 E Fourth Street, Wendell NC. This will be a ticketed event, at a fee of $10 per person.
Details are a work in progress. Stay tuned as the Wendell Historical Society lines up the homes that will be in this year’s tour. Visit the Historical Society’s website at www.wendellhistoricalsociety.com.
