05/14/2026
NEWS
Classic Cars, Steak Cookoff Return to Wake Forest Rotary’s 4th Annual Cars and Carnivores Street Festival on June 6
(Wake Forest, N.C., May 13, 2026)-- Now in its fourth year, The Rotary Club of Wake Forest’s free Cars and Carnivores Street Festival in downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, June 6, 2026, has grown to include more food trucks, vendors, a co****le tournament, and significant prizes in its gift basket raffle.
The highlights are the car show (from classic to modern), and nationally sanctioned steak cookoff competition. While the street festival is free to attend, participants pay to enter these events and compete for top prizes.
Funds raised go toward paying off the medical debt of local cancer patients. To date, $3.8 million in medical debt has been paid through Wake Forest Rotary’s partnership with local hospitals serving patients in the Wake Forest zip code of 27587.
“Every year we expand the free offerings happening during our annual street festival with something for car enthusiasts, steak lovers, co****le players, and those who just want to visit downtown Wake Forest for a fun family activity,” explains Mark Scarbrough, club president of Wake Forest Rotary.
“At the same time, we’re raising funds to help reduce the financial burden of community members facing cancer-related medical debt. Every car entry, sponsorship, vendor booth and raffle ticket directly contributes to helping local families offset overwhelming health care costs. Since our first street festival in 2023, we’ve relieved medical debt for nearly 100 local cancer patients,” Scarbrough adds.
Cars and Carnivores Street Festival Events:
100+ Vehicle Car Show
Classics, customs, muscle cars, trucks, imports, and modern performance vehicles will line Owens Ave. and Brooks St., plus surrounding parking lots in historic downtown Wake Forest. Car show hours are 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. ending with the awards presentation on Brooks St in front of the Wake Forest Town Hall, near the DJ booth. For those entering the show, cost is $25, pre-registration online only. Load-in begins at 6:30 a.m. Enter onto north end of Brooks Street, off E. Roosevelt/Wait Avenue near Norse Brewing Company.
Steak Cookoff Competition
Grilling teams will compete throughout the day in this culinary showdown sanctioned by the Steak Cookoff Association. The competition begins at 10 a.m. and ends with an awards presentation at 4:45 p.m. inside The Forks Cafeteria, 339 Brooks Street. The public is invited to register for the Friday, June 5, 6:30 p.m. Judge’s class at The Forks to understand exactly what it takes to win a steak cookoff. Register on the Rotary website.
Co****le Tournament
Teams of two (adult and/or children) can compete from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in front of the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St. Cost is $40 per team and online preregistration is required on the Wake Forest Rotary website. Trophies will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place during the 2 p.m. Car Show awards.
Food Trucks, Vendors & Local Flavor
Food trucks and vendors will offer a variety of options throughout the day. Vendor, entertainment, and sponsor lineups will be announced as confirmations are finalized.
Gift Basket Raffle
The Women of Wake Forest Rotary will be selling raffle tickets $5 each or 5 for $20 for dozens of gift baskets with beach getaways, theater tickets, restaurant gift cards and more. Visit the Rotary booth to view baskets and buy raffle tickets.
Event Schedule Overview
• Festival Opens to Public: 8 a.m. (FREE Admission and Parking)
• Car Show: 8 a.m. – 1: 45 p.m.
• Co****le Tournament – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Car Show Awards: 2 p.m.
• Steak Cook-off: 10 a.m.
• Steak Cook-off Awards: 4:45 p.m. at The Forks Cafeteria
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