Sheri Castle, acclaimed Southern cooking star, will lead Dinner in the Meadow on Sept. 13 to benefit the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, marking a marquee event in the Wake Forest cultural calendar. Hosted at Meadow Lane Farm in Louisburg, North Carolina, this exclusive farm-to-table feast combines culinary artistry with community support for small local farms.
Castle, whose Emmy-winning PBS show “The Key Ingredient” has earned her widespread acclaim, brings her award-winning expertise as a food writer, recipe developer, and teacher. Fresh off receiving the prestigious 2026 Keeper of the Flame Award from the Southern Foodways Alliance, Castle is celebrated as one of the South’s top culinary voices and a “Living Legend of Southern Food.”
This event offers a rare chance for attendees to meet Castle in person and experience her renowned Southern hospitality and innovative cooking. Tickets are now available at Eventbrite and more details can be found at dinnerinthemeadow.org.
Wake Forest Kicks Off 2026 Summer at the Centre Series
Alongside this culinary highlight, Wake Forest Renaissance Centre has officially announced its 2026 Summer at the Centre lineup, promising an exhilarating summer of top-tier performances running through June, July, and August at 405 S. Brooks St.
The series launches with The Embers Featuring Craig Woolard on June 3 at 7:30 p.m., followed by “America’s Sweethearts” on July 1, concluding with an interactive mystery theater experience, “Kill the Music,” on Aug. 22 with shows at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Renaissance Centre box office and by phone at 919-435-9458. The venue also welcomes community support through various tiers of membership in its RC Partners Circle, ranging from $125 to $3,500, offering exclusive benefits including early ticket access, public recognition, and free show tickets. Deadlines for membership applications are March 31 for Partners Circle and Aug. 21 for Patrons and Friends.
Full information on membership and tickets can be accessed at wakeforestrencen.org.
Free Outdoor Concert Series Six Sundays in Spring Draws Music Fans
The town of Wake Forest and ARTS Wake Forest continue their popular Six Sundays in Spring concert series through May 31 at Joyner Park Amphitheater. Each Sunday from 5:30-7:30 p.m., this free event features diverse music genres including Beatlesque (April 26), The Soul Psychedelique Orchestra (May 3), The Tams (May 10), Marcel Portilla Band (May 17), Blackwater Band (May 24), and Snapback (May 31).
Attendees can enjoy food trucks, picnic provisions, and charcoal grills on-site while abiding by event rules prohibiting alcohol, unleashed pets, and personal grills. This series, part of a broader slate of warm-weather activities available through September, brings community and culture together in Wake Forest outdoor spaces.
Full concert schedule and event details are online at bit.ly/WFSixSundays. For updates on Wake Forest special events sign up at WFEnotifier.
Wake Forest Renaissance Centre Invites Artists for America 250 Exhibit
The Renaissance Centre is calling on artists across ages and mediums to submit original works for the upcoming America 250 Art Exhibit. Artists are asked to explore the theme “What does America mean to you?” for the exhibit opening June 8 and running through July 17 at the Renaissance Centre Arts Annex.
Selected artwork will be featured within 64 linear feet of display space, including 2D and 3D presentations. The Centre will host an artist reception open to the public on June 12, 6-8 p.m. All exhibited art will be available for purchase.
Submissions must be received by May 24. Interested artists can apply or learn more at wakeforestrencen.org.
From farm-to-table dining with a Southern culinary legend to a packed summer music and arts calendar, Wake Forest energizes the region’s cultural scene for 2026 with events that engage and uplift community spirit and creativity.
