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POSTED IN THIS ISSUE
Issue #7 · Friday, October 23, 2026
Inside This Issue: Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Pittsboro is spending it downtown at the Rotary Club’s Street Fair. We’ve rounded up how the rest of the county is celebrating, from Siler City’s trunk-or-treat to a ghost walk at The Plant.
The #VisitChatham Bus Tour series stops at Mount Vernon Springs, where Cindy Schmit of the Chatham County Historical Association told us about health, beauty and the one story she saved for October.
Around Chatham, the county’s public health department was named the best in the state, Chatham County Schools released its enrollment numbers, and Pittsboro started work on a downtown master plan. Plus three deadlines that land by Halloween.
LET’S GET INTO THE POST →
FEATURE STORY
“Whatever Happened in Mount Vernon Stayed in Mount Vernon”
Next stop on the Chatham Bus Tour series: Cindy Schmit of the Chatham County Historical Association on health, beauty and an October story from the springs south of Siler City
Cindy Schmit of the Chatham County Historical Association tells the #VisitChatham Bus Tour about Mount Vernon Springs.
Cindy Schmit started with a question for the #VisitChatham Bus Tour: why would families from the coast spend their summers in Chatham County?
The answer was mosquitoes, and Mount Vernon Springs, a few miles south of Siler City, was where they came to escape them. There are two springs there, one called Health and one called Beauty, and for more than a century people came to drink from them. They came first for the cure, then for school, and then, starting around 1881, for the square dancing, the card playing and the drinking.
“So whatever kind of happened in Mount Vernon stayed in Mount Vernon,” said Schmit, who volunteers with the Chatham County Historical Association and guides its spirit tours, which run this weekend.
She had one story she was saving for October. It involves a general store, a trap, and a fight that didn’t end when the bullets ran out.
We want to thank NC Estate Services for sponsoring this issue!
YOUR CHATHAM WEEKEND
Halloween events are in the guide above.
🛍 BAZAAR NIGHT MARKET AT THE PLANT: TONIGHT
When: 4–9 p.m., live music from 6
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: Free
Local vendors, food and an evening to wander The Plant’s shops and gathering spaces.
🎉 BYNUM FRONT PORCH TURNS 20: TONIGHT AND SATURDAY
When: Anniversary gala tonight, doors at 6 p.m., music 7–9:30; Bynum Stories & Songs Saturday, 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: Bynum General Store, 950 Bynum Road, Bynum
Cost: Gala tickets on a sliding scale of $20, $25 or $30, and they are limited; Saturday is free, with donations welcome
Tonight’s fundraiser brings Sinatra-and-Dean-Martin-style music from Mr. Wonderful and his band, dancing and a raffle, and 1950s and ’60s cocktail attire is encouraged. On Saturday, Mill Town Yarns presents farm tales and Bynum stories from Cynthia Raxter, a song about folk artist Clyde Jones from Jimmy Magoo, and musicians from the Bynum bluegrass and acoustic jam.
🌳 JORDAN LAKE TRAIL DAY: SATURDAY
When: 9 a.m.–noon
Where: Poe’s Ridge Boat Ramp, 935 Jordan Dam Road, Moncure
Volunteers work on the trails and pick up litter near Jordan Lake. Ages 10 and up; minors need a guardian. Register in advance.
🍎 CORE VALUES: APPLE FEST AT THE PLANT: SUNDAY
When: Noon–6 p.m.
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
An apple pie competition, live music from Otis Kings, a vendor market and garden tours. Ben Starr leads a cider talk and tour at Starrlight Mead, and Lyle Estill gives an apple brandy talk and tasting at Fair Game.
🎪 WALKER AND MAGNUS TRAVELLING CIRCUS: WEEKENDS THROUGH NOV. 1
When: Saturdays at 3 p.m. (all ages) and 7 p.m. (ages 16 and up); Sundays at 3 p.m. (all ages) and 6:30 p.m. (ages 16 and up)
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Kuro Neko Circus Co.’s big top, with aerialists, acrobats, jugglers and clowns, and a Museum of Curiosities to explore before the show. Halloween weekend is the last chance to see it.
🐯 TWILIGHT TOURS AT CAROLINA TIGER RESCUE: LAST TWO WEEKENDS
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through Oct. 31, about 90 minutes
Where: Carolina Tiger Rescue, 1940 Hanks Chapel Road, Pittsboro
Cost: $32; ages 18 and up; advance tickets required
Twilight guests have the sanctuary to themselves after the day’s work is done. The season ends Oct. 31, and the sanctuary says tours sell out every weekend.
🥕 FARMERS MARKETS THIS WEEK
Chatham Mills Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.–noon, 480 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro
Fearrington Farmers Market: Tuesdays, 4–6 p.m., Fearrington Village
Siler City Growers & Makers Market: Wednesdays, 4–7 p.m., NC Arts Incubator courtyard, 223 N. Chatham Ave., Siler City
Pittsboro Farmers Market: Thursdays, 3–6 p.m., Pittsboro Pop-Up Park
Briar Chapel Farmers Market: Fridays, 4–6 p.m., Great Meadow Park
COMING UP THROUGH NOV. 6
🎬 “80 YEARS LATER” IN GOLDSTON: TUE., OCT. 27
When: 4–6 p.m.
Where: Goldston Library, 9235 Pittsboro-Goldston Road, Goldston
Cost: Free; no registration needed
Chatham Community Library screens the documentary directed by Celine Parreñas Shimizu, part of the Goldston America 250 Film Series and Chatham Celebrates America 250.
💼 FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGH FOR BUSINESS OWNERS: THU., OCT. 29
When: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: 79°West, 120 Mosaic Blvd., Suite 120, Pittsboro
Cost: Free; lunch included
A half-day seminar where four financial professionals cover taxes, bookkeeping, investing, and banking and fraud.
📚 BOOKS IN THE BARN: THU., OCT. 29
When: 7–8:30 p.m.
Where: The Barn at Fearrington, 500 Market St., Pittsboro
Cost: $65, including wine and hors d’oeuvres
Our State hosts authors Daniel Wallace and Jeremy B. Jones in conversation about “Beneath the Moon and Long Dead Stars” and “Cipher,” with a Q&A and signing.
🧠 MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: FRI., OCT. 30
When: 8–9 a.m.; doors at 7:45
Where: 79°West, 120 Mosaic Blvd., Suite 120, Pittsboro
Therapist Danny Eller, LCSW, leads this month’s talk, “Self-Criticism: Why Are We So Hard on Ourselves?” on owning mistakes without attacking your own worth. Register in advance.
❤ HANDS-ONLY CPR TRAINING: SAT., OCT. 24 AND SAT., OCT. 31
When: Oct. 24 at 9 a.m.; Oct. 31 at 10 a.m.
Where: Holmes Family Meeting Room, Chatham Community Library, 197 N.C. 87 N., Pittsboro
Cost: Free; registration required
Learn hands-only CPR and how to use an AED, with the American Heart Association and members of the UNC Heart Club. It’s training, not certification.
🏛 NORTH CAROLINA’S STATE CONSTITUTIONS: SUN., NOV. 1
When: 2–3:30 p.m.
Where: Historic Chatham County Courthouse, Pittsboro
Cost: Free
N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Trey Allen traces the state’s history through its 1776, 1868 and 1971 constitutions. It’s the last event in the Chatham County Historical Association’s America 250 series.
🛍 FIRST SUNDAY PITTSBORO: SUN., NOV. 1
When: Noon–4 p.m.
Where: Pop-Up Park, 50 W. Salisbury St., Pittsboro
An artisan market with music and food trucks, the day after the Street Fair. And set your clocks back an hour before bed Saturday: daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m.
🏛 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: MON., NOV. 2
When: Work session at 2 p.m.; regular session at 6 p.m.
Where: Historic Courthouse, Pittsboro
The regular session includes the presentation of the county’s capital improvement plan, the list of big-ticket building projects for the years ahead. The public hearing on it is Nov. 16.
🗳 ELECTION DAY: TUE., NOV. 3
When: 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. If you’re in line by 7:30, you can vote.
Where: Your assigned precinct
💡 79°WEST MENTOR MORNING: THU., NOV. 5
When: 9–10:30 a.m.
Where: 79°West, 120 Mosaic Blvd., Suite 120, Pittsboro
Cost: Free; register on Eventbrite
Drop in for conversations with mentors at tables, no appointment needed, hosted with Innovate Carolina.
📜 SILER CITY HISTORY CLUB: THU., NOV. 5
When: 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Where: Siler City Center for Active Living, 112 Village Lake Drive, Siler City
An informal gathering where people share Siler City history. Guests welcome.
🌱 ALL ABOUT SEEDS, PAINTING & PLANTING: FRI., NOV. 6
When: 4–5 p.m.
Where: The Arts Center, 964 East St., Suite 105, Pittsboro
Cost: Free; all ages; register by Nov. 2, limited to 12
Extension Master Gardener Trish Hablutzel leads a story and a seed activity, then everyone decorates and plants a pot to take home.
Save the date: The Plant’s 11th Annual Death Faire is Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (details), and the Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour is Dec. 5–6 and 12–13 (details).
HALLOWEEN ACROSS CHATHAM
How Chatham Does Halloween
A street fair on the big day, trick-or-treating with the goats, ghost walks at The Plant and a trunk-or-treat in Siler City
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Pittsboro is spending the day downtown. The Rotary Club’s Street Fair fills three downtown streets from 10 to 6, and then the evening moves out to The Plant. Here’s how the rest of the county is celebrating, from this weekend straight through Halloween night.
🎃 PITTSBORO STREET FAIR: SAT., OCT. 31
When: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., rain or shine
Where: Downtown Pittsboro, on Hanks, Fayetteville and Salisbury streets
Cost: Free
More than 100 vendors, from artisans and shops to nonprofits and food trucks, with live music all day, family activities and a trike race from noon to 3. A shuttle runs from Central Carolina Community College. Proceeds fund the Rotary Club of Pittsboro’s projects, including scholarships for local students, CORA’s Turkey Tuesday, Meals on Wheels and books for local students.
THIS WEEKEND
Fri, Oct 23 Witches’ Brew & Bonfire | Starrlight Mead, 130 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro | 6–8 p.m. | Spiced meads and ciders, s’mores and tarot readings around the fire. Witchy hats and costumes encouraged. | Event details
Fri, Oct 23–Sun, Oct 25 Spirits of Pittsboro’s Past | The Chatham County Historical Association’s costumed walking tour of downtown folklore is sold out all three nights. Friday and Saturday have waitlists. You’ll meet one of its guides in our feature below. | Friday waitlist | Saturday waitlist
Sat, Oct 24 Flashlight Maze at Huckleberry Trail Farm | 143 Pleasant Hill Church Road, Siler City | 6–9 p.m. | The corn maze by flashlight, with 10 hidden stations to find and a prize if you find them all. The farm says it’s not a scare event. $15 per person; register online in advance. | Event details
Sat, Oct 24, Sun, Oct 25 and Sat, Oct 31 Huckleberry Trail Farm Fall Festival | Saturdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 1–6 p.m. | Corn maze, hayride, pumpkin patch and cotton patch. Halloween is the last day of the season. $14 ages 12 and up; $12 ages 3 to 11, seniors 65 and up, military, first responders and teachers. | Admission and hours
Sun, Oct 25 Spooky Yoga | Starrlight Mead, Pittsboro | 3–4 p.m. | An outdoor Halloween-themed class with Liz Lahti, followed by a glass of mead. $25 | Event details
Sun, Oct 25 Church Fall Festival at Bonlee Baptist | 25 Al Davis Road, Bear Creek | 6–8 p.m. | Trunk-or-treat, hot dogs, games, cotton candy and hayrides. | Bonlee Baptist Church
THURSDAY, OCT. 29
Halloween at the Pittsboro Farmers Market | Pop-Up Park, 50 W. Salisbury St. | 3–6 p.m.; children’s costume parade at 5:30 | Trick-or-treating at the vendor booths, free Junior Farmers Club activities from Chatham County 4-H, and vendor specials. Rain or shine. | Event details
FRIDAY, OCT. 30
Howl-oween Pet Costume & Pumpkin Stroll | Fearrington Village | 4–6 p.m. | Leashed dogs in costume stroll the pumpkins, with prizes, pup cups and pizza from Roost. Bringing dog food or treats to donate to CARE is encouraged. | Event details
10th Annual Siler City Trunk or Treat | Bray Park Sports Complex, 700 Alston Bridge Road, Siler City | 6–8 p.m. | Local businesses and town departments hand out candy from decorated vehicles. | Event details
Guided Ghost Walk & Investigation at The Plant | 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro | 8 p.m. | A nighttime walk of The Plant’s grounds with ghost-hunting equipment, ending at Fair Game to go over whatever turned up. Rain or shine. $15 | Event details
MOSAIC’s Hocus Pocus 2 drive-in and trunk-or-treat that night is already fully reserved.
HALLOWEEN, SAT., OCT. 31
The Street Fair runs downtown all day. Around it:
Halloween Tour & Explore at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge | 7432 N.C. 87, Pittsboro | Arrive any time after 11 a.m.; closes at 2 p.m. | Vegan trick-or-treating, face painting, pumpkin carving and painting, a photo booth, and self-paced visits with the goats, sheep, cows and the rest of the rescued residents. Vegan food from Govinda’s Catering and Kitoko Bites. Sliding scale, $5 to $40; ages 2 and up need a ticket. Buy ahead, since it can sell out. | Tickets
Siler City Fire Department Halloween Open House | Siler City Fire Department, 310 N. Chatham Ave., Siler City | 4–8:30 p.m. | Tour the station, see the fire trucks, meet the firefighters and pick up some fire safety tips. Get your photo taken with Sparky to enter the costume contest. Sparky picks the best costume, and the winner’s photo goes up on the department’s Facebook page. Sponsored by the Siler City Firemans Association. | Siler City Fire Department on Facebook
Get Down on Halloween | The Plant | Noon–4 p.m. | An afternoon of live music to warm up for the evening: Purple Snakes, Hawkfeather, Michael LaShawn and Matthew Greenslade. Costumes welcome. | Event details
Costumes at Starrlight Mead | 130 Lorax Lane | Noon–6 p.m. | Show up in costume and get a free glass of mead or cider. | Event details
Halloween @ The Plant | 220 Lorax Lane | 4–9 p.m. | A night market from 5 to 9, the Plant Parade at 5:15, a costume contest at 5:30 and live music, for kids and grown-ups alike. | Event details
Humans vs. Zombies Finale | Chatham Axes, 215 Lorax Lane | Noon–10 p.m. | The last night of the axe-throwing venue’s zombie series. Costumes welcome, axes provided. | Tickets
Halloween Party at Vino!! | 89 Hillsboro St., Suite A, Pittsboro | 7–10 p.m. | A costume contest and Halloween cocktails, with the shop open late. | Event details
Halloween Ghost Walk at The Plant | Starts and ends at The Wheelhouse at Fair Game, 192 Lorax Lane | 8 p.m. | A ghost-story walk around The Plant with investigation equipment. Costumes required. Rain or shine. $15 | Event details
AROUND TOWN
CHATHAM’S HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS THE BEST IN THE STATE
The North Carolina Public Health Association has named the Chatham County Public Health Department its 2026 North Carolina Local Health Department of the Year. The award was presented Oct. 1 at the association’s fall conference in Concord.
The nomination pointed to the department’s expanded services for communicable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, substance use and behavioral health; a 24/7 wellness vending machine stocked with naloxone and other health supplies; a countywide Heat Action Plan; and its partnerships with UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health and the North Carolina Institute for Public Health. County commissioners put a resolution recognizing the department on their Oct. 19 agenda.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT DIPS AS COSTS CLIMB
Chatham County Schools has 8,459 students this year, 159 fewer than last year, according to the district’s Oct. 12 board notes. The district added 590 kindergartners and 496 students new to the district, but it is losing students to other districts, charter schools, private schools and homeschooling. Final numbers come in November.
Costs are running ahead of the budget. Staff project an $895,000 shortfall in maintenance, which is running about 20% over, and $61,000 in transportation, with diesel up 118% from a year ago. The board moved $420,000 within its capital fund to buy school buses and unanimously approved its 2028–2034 capital improvement plan, which now goes to the county manager’s office. Teachers, instructional support staff and assistant principals are getting average step increases of 8% this year, and other employees 3%.
PITTSBORO STARTS PLANNING DOWNTOWN’S FUTURE
Pittsboro commissioners met Oct. 12, the same night they approved Roberts Run, the 72-townhome Habitat for Humanity neighborhood. They appointed a temporary steering committee to guide a downtown master plan, and the town says changes to that committee are meant to bring in a high school student’s perspective. They also set up a committee for a strategic economic development plan that will look at entrepreneurship, downtown activity, healthcare, education and more. And they added $8,260 for new tree decorations and a laser show by Emerald Owl Productions at the annual tree lighting.
For anyone watching growth: during the South Village discussion, Chuck Smith of Chatham Park told commissioners that the 36-inch sewer force main along U.S. 15-501 should be finished in the third quarter of 2027, and that construction on a 36-inch water line along Moncure-Pittsboro Road should start in the second quarter of 2027.
THREE DEADLINES BY HALLOWEEN
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 11:59 p.m.: Comments close on Chatham Park’s South Village design plans. Use the town’s online form or leave a voicemail at (984) 282-6647. How to comment, from the Chatham Journal.
Saturday, Oct. 31, 3 p.m.: Early voting ends. Any of Chatham’s five sites will take you, and you can register and vote the same day. Chatham County Board of Elections
Saturday, Oct. 31: Applications are due for the Chatham Chamber’s ten $2,500 small-business microgrants, funded by the Duke Energy Foundation. You don’t need to be a Chamber member. Program details and application.
NOW OPEN AT MOSAIC
a Tavolo Italian Eatery is open at MOSAIC at Chatham Park, 367 Freedom Parkway, Suite 130, with wood-fired pizza, house-made pasta and a full bar. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m., and reservations are made online. tavoloitalianeatery.com
THE POST SCRIPT
“Even out in the country, you know, weird stuff can happen.”
That’s Cindy Schmit on Mount Vernon Springs. Here’s to a Halloween with just enough weird in it.
More stops from the bus tour are on the way.
If this issue made you want to see more of Chatham, forward it to one neighbor who would want to see it, too.
Have a Chatham County story we should know about? Hit reply and tell me.
See y’all next Friday!
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