The monthly concert, held on White Street during the spring and summer, has become a staple in the community over the past decade, attracting thousands of attendees on the second Friday of each month.
Families filled the street on a recent Friday night, enjoying live music despite hot temperatures.
"It's a lot of fun. I mean, today is a little hot, but it's a lot of fun to come out here," said Diane Parrish, who attends the event regularly with neighbor Gloria Crudup.
Neighbors say the tradition keeps them coming back year after year.
"It's just a nice place to be," Parrish said.
"I like seeing the people pass and the music that they play," Crudup added.
But while the event draws crowds, some merchants say it is driving them away.
B&W Hardware, a longtime business on White Street, closed its doors during the event, posting signs that cited property damage and other concerns tied to Friday nights.
Other business owners have cited reports of theft and vandalism.
"It just started getting so crowded and so rowdy that it just didn't make sense anymore," said Jill Mason, co-owner of Yellow Butterfly Boutique, who also chose to close early.
Mason said the street closures, which starts about five hours before the concert series begin, limit access to her store and deter customers.
"We have lots of customers that purposely stayed away because they didn't want the commotion of " Friday Night on White," and they knew they couldn't get to our parking spots anyway," she said.
Business owners say their concerns range from safety issues to lost sales and limited access due to road closures.
Town officials say they are aware of the concerns but emphasize the broader economic benefits of the event.
Bill Crabtree, the director of Communication for the Town of Wake Forest , said closing the street is necessary to allow time for setup and preparation, and he hopes the influx of visitors ultimately supports local businesses.
"What we hope is that by bringing all these people to Downtown Wake Forest, that, again, it's going to help their business in the long run," Crabtree said.
He also addressed reports of theft and property damage, noting increased security measures.
"We've used mutual aid agreements to bring in law enforcement from neighboring communities to help us. We've put officers on the tops of some of the rooftops so they can have a bird's eye view. It's really a strategic positioning opportunity," Crabtree said.
For some, the event remains a major draw and economic boost. For others, it has become a source of frustration.
"This is our livelihood," Mason continued,
The event typically runs until 9 p.m. and draws between 3,000 and 10,000 people to downtown Wake Forest on any given Friday during the series