POSTED IN THIS ISSUE
Issue #8 · Friday, October 30, 2026
Inside This Issue: Halloween is tomorrow, and Pittsboro is spending it downtown at the Rotary Club’s Street Fair. Our guide below runs from tonight’s trunk-or-treat in Siler City to Halloween night at The Plant.
The #VisitChatham Bus Tour series rolls through downtown Pittsboro with Theresa Thompson, the town’s Downtown Director, on how downtown, The Plant and MOSAIC have started promoting each other, and on a shuttle you’d call from an app.
Around Chatham, Pittsboro stopped all Google Fiber construction after three utility line breaks, the town’s new planning director wants to rewrite its development rules, and Election Day is Tuesday. Plus a fresh week of events through Nov. 13.
LET’S GET INTO THE POST →
FEATURE STORY
“It Takes a Lot of People Working Together”
Next stop on the Chatham Bus Tour series: Theresa Thompson, Pittsboro’s Downtown Director, on the Trilogy, a town shuttle and where your local dollar goes
Theresa Thompson, Downtown Director for the Town of Pittsboro, on the #VisitChatham Bus Tour.
“What makes a downtown worth visiting?” Theresa Thompson asked the #VisitChatham Bus Tour as we rolled through downtown Pittsboro.
The answers came fast: sidewalks, restaurants, a park, feeling safe. Thompson is the Downtown Director for the Town of Pittsboro, and when a downtown works, she said, it kind of just feels effortless. “Well, in reality, it takes a lot of people working together to make that happen.”
With the Street Fair filling downtown on Halloween, it’s a good weekend to hear what she’s building: a quarterly partnership she calls the Trilogy, a shuttle you’d call from your phone, and one number about where your dollar goes.
We want to thank NC Estate Services for sponsoring this issue!
YOUR CHATHAM WEEKEND
Halloween events are in our guide below.
🎪 WALKER AND MAGNUS TRAVELLING CIRCUS: CLOSING WEEKEND
When: Saturday at 3 p.m. (all ages) and 7 p.m. (ages 16 and up); Sunday at 3 p.m. (all ages) and 6:30 p.m. (ages 16 and up)
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: $20 adults, $10 ages 12 and under
Kuro Neko Circus Co.’s big top, with aerialists, acrobats, jugglers and clowns, and a Museum of Curiosities to explore before the show. This is the last weekend to see it.
🐯 TWILIGHT TOURS AT CAROLINA TIGER RESCUE: FINAL TWO NIGHTS
When: Tonight and Saturday evening, 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 Saturday, Oct. 31, and the sanctuary says tours sell out every weekend.
🧠 MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: THIS MORNING
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.
🎵 GRAND SHORES AT THE WHEELHOUSE: TONIGHT
When: 7–9 p.m.
Where: Fair Game Beverage Company Tasting Room, 192 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: $25, plus a small fee
Gabriel Pelli and Will Ridenour bring together American folk fiddle and guitar with the West African kora.
❤ HANDS-ONLY CPR TRAINING: SATURDAY
When: 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. The session doesn’t include a certification card.
🏛 NORTH CAROLINA’S STATE CONSTITUTIONS: SUNDAY
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: SUNDAY
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.
🎻 A HALLOWEEN CANDLELIGHT EXPERIENCE: SUNDAY
When: 6:30–8:30 p.m.; doors at 5:45
Where: The Skyroom, 247 Callies Haven Way, Moncure
Lumos Experiences presents a candlelit string trio playing movie scores, including Jaws, Ghostbusters and Skyfall. Ages 8 and up.
🥕 FARMERS MARKETS THIS WEEK
Chatham Mills Farmers Market: Saturday, 8 a.m.–noon, 480 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro. Winter hours, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., start Nov. 7.
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. 13
🏛 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 BREAKFAST CLUB: TUE., NOV. 3
When: 9–10:30 a.m.
Where: 79°West, 120 Mosaic Blvd., Suite 120, Pittsboro
Cost: Free; tickets required
Chuck Smith, Preston Development’s vice president of planning, talks about Chatham Park’s long-term vision and Knight Farm Community Park, with news updates from Gene Galin of the Chatham Journal.
💡 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. This month, Jonus Nobles talks about Preservation Siler City, Inc., a new nonprofit working to protect the town’s artifacts, architecture and culture, and brings pieces from its collection. Guests welcome.
🎵 THE BOYS OF THE HAW AT THE WHEELHOUSE: FRI., NOV. 6
When: 7–9 p.m.
Where: Fair Game Beverage Company Tasting Room, 192 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: $25, plus a small fee
Al McCanless, Jack Herrick, formerly of the Red Clay Ramblers, and Joseph Terrell play old-time, Celtic, bluegrass, world music and originals.
💀 THE PLANT’S 11TH ANNUAL DEATH FAIRE: SAT., NOV. 7
When: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: Tickets on Eventbrite
A day inspired by the death positivity movement, with speakers, live music, a juried art show, workshops, rituals, vendors and food. It started in Pittsboro in 2016.
🚗 LOVE CHATHAM CAR & BIKE SHOW: SAT., NOV. 7
When: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Bray Park Sports Complex, Siler City
A car and bike show with live music from Jordan Pickett, Keith Bartell and Freedom Worship, plus food and vendors.
🐮 FALL VEGAN POTLUCK AT PIEDMONT FARM ANIMAL REFUGE: SAT., NOV. 7
When: 5–7:30 p.m.; cow meet-and-greet 5–5:30
Where: Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, Pittsboro
Cost: Free; RSVP and waiver required
Bring a vegan dish to share, plus your own plate and utensils. Chapel Hill Animal Advocates United gives a short talk.
🎨 WATERCOLOR HOLIDAY CARD CLASS: SUN., NOV. 8
When: 2–4 p.m.
Where: Starrlight Mead, 130 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: $30, with materials and a glass of mead or cider
A beginner class where you paint six holiday cards to keep or give.
🏛 PITTSBORO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: MON., NOV. 9
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 U.S. 64 Business West, Pittsboro
The board’s regular monthly meeting. The agenda hasn’t been posted yet.
🤝 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT CHATHAM MILLS: TUE., NOV. 10
When: 5–7 p.m.
Where: Chatham Mills, 480 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro
Cost: Registration requested
The Chatham Chamber and BOLD Commercial Real Estate introduce Chatham Mills’ new ownership and its plans for the mill, home to Chatham Marketplace, The Sycamore and Forest Hall.
🐯 TIGER TALES TOUR: WED., NOV. 11
When: 9–11:30 a.m.
Where: Carolina Tiger Rescue, 1940 Hanks Chapel Road, Pittsboro
Cost: $11 per person; advance tickets, 20 per tour
Story time, an animal craft and a sanctuary visit, best for ages 2 to 7 with an adult. It’s the last Tiger Tales date of the season.
🎤 OPEN MIC NIGHT AT THE NC ARTS INCUBATOR: WED., NOV. 11
When: 6–8 p.m.; sign-up at 5:30
Where: NC Arts Incubator, 223 N. Chatham Ave., Siler City
Music, poetry and spoken word, every second Wednesday.
Save the date: The Elite Equine & Rodeo horse show at the Ag Center on Saturday, Nov. 14, benefits a canned food and winter coat drive (details). The Siler City Christmas Parade is Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7 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
The Rotary Club’s Street Fair takes over three downtown streets tomorrow from 10 to 6, and then the evening moves out to The Plant. Here’s how the rest of the county is celebrating, from tonight 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 and family activities. A shuttle runs from Central Carolina Community College. Proceeds fund the Rotary Club of Pittsboro’s projects, including scholarships, CORA’s Turkey Tuesday, Meals on Wheels and books for local students.
New this year, according to the Chatham Journal: trike riding is free, and an 11 a.m. “grudge race” pits County Manager Bryan Thompson against Town Manager Jonathan Franklin. Watch for the costume contest around 4:10 p.m. and the chili cook-off around 4:30, with $5 people’s-choice tastings.
TONIGHT, 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 tonight is sold out.
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
Huckleberry Trail Farm Fall Festival, Last Day | 143 Pleasant Hill Church Road, Siler City | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Corn maze, hayride, pumpkin patch and cotton patch on the season’s final day. $14 ages 12 and up; $12 ages 3 to 11, seniors 65 and up, military, first responders and teachers. | Admission and hours
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
Halloween Party with the Autism Society of NC’s Orange/Chatham Support Group | Carolina Living and Learning Center, 325 Russet Run, Pittsboro | 4–6 p.m. | Crafts, games, music, dancing and snacks at the UNC TEACCH Autism Program’s Carolina Living and Learning Center. All ages are welcome, with activities especially suited for teens and adults, and costumes are optional. Younger guests and anyone who needs support should come with a caregiver. Please RSVP so they can plan food. | RSVP | Event details
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. The Triangle Broom Squad performs at 5 and 7. | 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
PITTSBORO STOPS ALL GOOGLE FIBER WORK
The Town of Pittsboro has halted all Google Fiber construction in town after three utility line breaks in four days. Crews working for Google Fiber’s contractor, Hyper Networks, broke a gas line in the Chatham Forest neighborhood on Friday, Oct. 23, then broke another gas line in Chatham Forest and a water line on East Street on Monday, Oct. 26.
The stop-work order holds through this week and until town staff meet with Google Fiber on Monday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 a.m., outside Town Hall, 287 East St. That briefing is open to residents. Before work can resume, Google Fiber and Hyper Networks have to investigate, submit a plan with corrective actions and safety improvements, and share what they found with the town in a public setting. Their crews will also get more safety training.
“Safety, including the safeguarding of underground utilities, is the Town’s top priority,” the town said.
ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY
Early voting ends Saturday, Oct. 31, at 3 p.m., and you can still register and vote the same day at any of Chatham’s five early voting sites: the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 U.S. 64 Business West, Pittsboro; Central Carolina Community College’s Health Science Building, 75 Ballentrae Court, Pittsboro; the Earl B. Fitts Community Center, 111 S. Third Ave., Siler City; Goldston Town Hall, 40-A Coral Ave., Goldston; and Hollands Chapel AME Zion Church, 360 Burgess Road, Apex. Today’s hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at your assigned precinct. Poll workers will ask for a photo ID, and if you don’t have one, you can still vote with a provisional ballot and an ID exception form.
Chatham’s ballot includes the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House (District 4 or 9, depending on where you live), seats on the N.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, state Senate District 20, state House District 54, the district attorney, a district court judge, county commissioners for Districts 3, 4 and 5, sheriff, clerk of superior court, school board and soil and water seats, and three proposed amendments to the state constitution on voter ID, an income tax cap and limits on local property tax increases.
PITTSBORO’S NEW PLANNING DIRECTOR WANTS A REWRITE
Kevin Lewis, Pittsboro’s new planning director, introduced himself to the town’s Planning Board on Oct. 19 with a plan: a full rewrite of the Unified Development Ordinance, the town’s rulebook for what gets built where, which Pittsboro adopted in 2021. Lewis came from the Town of Knightdale, where he worked for seven years.
“I don’t want to just come to y’all for a rubber stamp,” he told board members. “I want you to challenge us as staff. I want you to ask questions.”
The town is looking for a consultant to lead the rewrite, with qualifications due Nov. 13, and Lewis hopes the work can begin in early 2027.
HAVE YOUR SAY: TOWN HALL, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Town Hall’s look: Pittsboro’s survey on facade designs for the new Town Hall closes Friday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m., and the results go to the Board of Commissioners. Take the survey.
Pittsboro boards: Applications for the town’s ABC Board are due Friday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m., and for in-town seats on the Planning Board, Friday, Nov. 13, at 5 p.m. Paper forms are at Town Hall, 287 East St., Suite 221-A. Apply online.
County committees: Chatham County is filling seats on its Planning Board, Housing Authority, Transportation Advisory Committee and the Community Advisory Committee for Nursing and Adult Care Homes. Applications are due Friday, Nov. 20, at 5 p.m. Apply online.
SILER CITY’S LEAF COLLECTION IS UNDER WAY
Siler City’s loose-leaf collection started Oct. 26 and runs through Feb. 26. Crews began south of Raleigh Street, move north of Raleigh Street on Monday, Nov. 2, and alternate weekly after that. Rake leaves into neat piles at the edge of the street, clear of the travel lane, and keep sticks, rocks and trash out of the piles. Bagged leaves won’t be picked up while the loose-leaf program is running. Questions go to Public Works at 919-726-8655.
THE POST SCRIPT
“We want to make sure that downtown is still viable five to ten years from now.”
That’s Theresa Thompson on why Pittsboro’s downtown program exists. Happy Halloween, Chatham.
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!