Special Events Guide

Special Events Guide

Special events are an important part of the Town of Wendell. Special events can produce endless benefits such as personal, social and economic growth and development, as well as social and environmental awareness!

When our staff is determining the appropriateness of holding a special event in collaboration with the Town, or located on Town-owned or leased property or public rights-of-way, several items need to be considered as outlined in our Special Events Policy. The Special Event Application process helps staff determine if the Town has the resources and ability to meet the needs of the event to ensure the safety and security of all participants.

Approval of a special event on public property will be considered once a completed application has been received, reviewed and evaluated by the appropriate Town staff and it has been decided that use of public space and allocation of public resources are appropriate. Priority will be given to Town-hosted or sponsored events, and preference will be given to successful events that are recurring.

Submittal of a Special Event Permit Application does not mean approval, and it is recommended that events are not promoted until approval is received.

Please note that Special Event Permits are for public events held on public, Town-owned property. They are not for events on private property.

If you are seeking to rent an indoor space at a Parks & Recreation facility, please use our Facility Rental Form.

If you are seeking to rent an outdoor Parks & Recreation space, please use our Outdoor Rental Application.

If you are seeking to rent the J. Ashley Wall Town Square or the Women's Club Parking Lot downtown (corner of Third and Cypress), please use our Town Square/Women's Club Lot Rental Form.

To request to use public space for private, short-term use, such as placing a dumpster in a parking spot adjacent to a business, please submit a Temporary Use of Public Space Request.

Please review the following instructions to apply for a Special Event Permit:

Instructions to Apply for a Special Event Permit

1. Read this Special Event Permit Guide (and all related instructions on any permit applications) thoroughly.

2. Complete the Town of Wendell Special Event Permit Application online. For questions, contact the Town of Wendell's Events Coordinator, Lauren Presley, at LPresley@townofwendellnc.gov or (919) 910-2790.

3. Using our Site Plan Template, draw or illustrate a site map showing any streets to be closed, tent placement, dumpster location(s), parade/run routes, or other similar events or activities. Include your site map with your permit application when it asks for a file upload! For technical issues accessing the map, contact our Events Coordinator.

4. If your special event requires other Town-related permits or approvals as indicated in this guide or on any other special events form or page, please complete those necessary forms/actions and include them (with any applicable fees) along with the Special Events Application.

For road races and parades, make sure you've filled out our Road Race/Parade Application.

For street closures, make sure you've filled out our Street Closure Permit Application.

For signs at the event, make sure you've filled out our Sign Permit Request Form. New users must register on our GeoCivix platform to complete this form.

For other permit contacts (such as Wake County), or other Town staff contacts, visit our Other Permits & Contact Info page.

5. All applications and related forms should be submitted to the Town of Wendell no less than 60 days prior to the start of the event. The Town Manager may grant exceptions at their discretion for special circumstances.

6. Special event organizers applying for co-sponsorship consideration by the Town of Wendell must complete our Co-Sponsorship Request Form and have their event approved by the Town of Wendell Board of Commissioners.

Co-sponsorship requests must be submitted by January of each year, for incorporation into the annual budget. The application will be reviewed by staff and presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration. The Board of Commissioners or Town Manager may grant exceptions for late co-sponsorship applications for special circumstances.

7. Once a Special Event Permit Application has been received, the application will be distributed to all associated departments for review. Based on these reviews the permit will be: 1.) Approved, 2.) Approved with Conditions, or 3.) Denied.

The final determination will be provided in writing to the point of contact indicated on the application.

The payment of all fees is required prior to issue of the final Special Event Permit. Examples of additional fees could include, but are not limited to, Town staff support, or waste removal fees.

Questions should be directed to Lauren Presley, Events Coordinator at LPresley@townofwendellnc.gov or (919) 910-2790.