POSTED IN THIS ISSUE
Issue #5 · Friday, October 9, 2026
Inside This Issue: The #VisitChatham Bus Tour series starts in Goldston, where Mayor Jonathan Hensley talked pizza, geography and a town about to roughly double in size.
Old Fashion Day is tomorrow. This is the story behind it.
Around Chatham, a judge sided with the developer in the Moncure data center fight, Siler City laid out a plan for its downtown, and the county landed the biggest farmland preservation grant in its program’s history.
LET’S GET INTO THE POST →
FEATURE STORY
“Nobody Will Drink Beer in Goldston”
Mayor Jonathan Hensley on pizza, population booms, and what’s next for Goldston
Mayor Jonathan Hensley welcomes the #VisitChatham Bus Tour to downtown Goldston.
On the way to Goldston, people on the bus kept asking me the same thing: had I ever heard Mayor Hensley speak before? Had I met him? He’s a whole lot of fun, they said. Very funny. I was anticipating. I was not disappointed.
If you’ve never heard of Goldston, Mayor Jonathan Hensley will not be offended. He gets it all the time. “I took over, I think this is my second term. So we’re going on third,” he told the Chatham Chamber’s #VisitChatham Bus Tour group when the coach pulled into town. “Most people will say, ‘Oh, I hear you’re the mayor. Where are you from?’ Yeah, you’ve never heard of it.”
Goldston has a little over 200 houses on trash pickup, and the 2020 census counted 234 residents. When people find out he’s a mayor, he keeps it in perspective. “Calm down,” he says. “I won by, like, 35 votes.”
It was refreshing to be in the presence of a community leader who didn’t take himself too seriously. But by the end of his talk, it was very clear that he was serious about the community he led.
A railroad town gets a pizza place
Goldston started as a railroad town, with a little depot that sat right on Main Street. That depot building was moved away years ago, and Hensley says it is being restored.
Today, downtown Goldston is in the middle of its own restoration. Property owners are renovating buildings that have stood since the town was founded. The two-story building on Main Street is becoming apartments. The little brick building beside it is becoming a pizza place with office space.
The pizza place will serve beer. Goldston has never had either one.
“I was like, nobody will want that in Goldston. Nobody around here,” Hensley said. “And everybody’s like, when’s that pizza shop opening?” Hensley is asking the same question.
Across the street, a couple of buildings that need some TLC could become a venue people rent for parties and events, and the owner is tossing around the idea of an outdoor amphitheater. The town is working to acquire 17 acres next to the ballpark for an outdoor soccer pitch, a volleyball court and an open-air farmers market, and if the amphitheater doesn’t land across the street, the town would like to put one there.
“Good growth, not a lot of growth”
The biggest change on Goldston’s horizon is Goldston Fields, a Smith Douglas Homes subdivision of about 90 homes priced from the high $200s. It is the first new-home community inside the town limits, and it will roughly double the town’s population.
One of the bus tour guests asked the obvious question: where would those families buy their groceries? Siler City and Sanford, Hensley said. Downtown Sanford is 13 minutes away. Chick-fil-A is 18.
Then he leaned into what might be the best geographic pitch in Chatham County.
“Has anybody seen the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? Weird geographical oddity. We are 45 minutes from everybody.” Downtown Raleigh in 48 minutes. Durham in 52. Chapel Hill in about 49. Fayetteville in an hour. Greensboro in 52. Pittsboro in 18.
“So people that kind of say, well, Goldston’s far away, it’s like, yes, but you hop on Number One, and you can be in downtown Raleigh in 48 minutes.”
The challenge, Hensley explained, is convincing companies to look past the numbers. “When I try to pitch things to these big companies, the problem that we run into is when you pull up the actual physical data of Goldston, we’re so small that companies can’t justify, you know, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.”
That math misses the full picture. “When I talk about Goldston, I don’t just talk about the town of Goldston, our one-mile radius that we have. I talk about Bear Creek, Gulf, Antioch, all the surrounding things, because those are the people that come to Goldston and shop at our store, our Dollar General, any of our two restaurants.”
His vision isn’t explosive growth. It’s a Saturday morning. “A nice little downtown where you want to come on a Saturday, walk around, do some shopping, get some coffee and a donut. And then tour the rest of the county.”
Old Fashion Day: 1,800 strong
This Saturday, October 10th, Goldston holds the 39th Annual Old Fashion Day, sponsored by the Goldston Lions Club. It draws roughly 1,800 people to a town with barely 200 houses.
“Vendors line from here, all the way to the other end of town,” Hensley said. “So, as far as you can literally see, which is all of Goldston.”
Vendors line Main Street from one end of Goldston to the other on Old Fashion Day 2025. (Photo: Goldston Old Fashion Day on Facebook)
There will be upwards of 150 vendors selling antiques, crafts, pottery, jewelry, food and homemade goods. There’s a pint-sized petting zoo, pumpkin painting, face painting, a photo booth, a mechanical bull and food trucks. The Lions will be collecting eyeglasses for their Recycle for Sight program. And Goldston’s own fire department, where Hensley is also a member, will have trucks out for kids to look over, with plastic hats and gear to try on.
Down the road
During questions, someone asked about the House in the Horseshoe, the state historic site about seven miles away in Moore County. Hensley knows it well.
The house, also called the Alston House, was built around 1772. In 1781 it was the scene of a Revolutionary War skirmish between Patriot militia under Col. Philip Alston and Loyalists led by David Fanning, and the bullet holes are still in the walls. The state stages reenactments of the fight.
Hensley’s favorite reason to go is after dark. “It’s a really nice place. If anybody does photography, I do like photography sometimes. And I will go out there at night, because there’s no light pollution, and you can get the Milky Way and all the stars and stuff.”
He’d brought cupcakes for the bus. And with that, the tour rolled on.
39th Annual Old Fashion Day
Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 9AM–4PM
Main Street, Goldston
Sponsored by Goldston Lions Club
150+ vendors: antiques, crafts, pottery, jewelry, food trucks, petting zoo, pumpkin painting, mechanical bull, photo booth
Contact: Lisa Denkins | 919-721-1403
The #VisitChatham Bus Tour is presented by Vector Security and sponsored by Fidelity Bank, organized by The Chatham Chamber. The Pittsboro Post is covering each stop as a feature series.
We want to thank NC Estate Services for sponsoring this issue!
YOUR CHATHAM WEEKEND
🎪 GOLDSTON OLD FASHION DAY: SATURDAY
When: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Goldston
The 39th annual street festival, with 150-plus vendors, a mechanical bull, a pint-sized petting zoo and pumpkin painting. Mayor Hensley’s story is at the top of this issue.
👗 HEMPSMITH RUNWAY: TONIGHT
When: 5–9 p.m., runway show at 7
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: Free general admission; VIP seating $25
Local designers show their latest collections, with a vendor market of sustainable, vintage and upcycled clothing.
🎬 MOONLIGHT MOVIE AT MOSAIC: TONIGHT
When: Lot opens at 6 p.m., movie at 7
Where: MOSAIC at Chatham Park, 367 Freedom Parkway, Pittsboro
Cost: Free; registration required
A drive-in showing of Toy Story 5. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. The next one is the live-action Moana on Oct. 23.
🎭 ANCIENT ARTS FESTIVAL: THROUGH SUNDAY
When: Friday 2–10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 U.S. 64 West Business
Live tattooing, a tattoo contest, oddities and macabre art vendors, a masquerade costume contest, live painting, silent films and food trucks.
🌳 GREENWOOD WRIGHTS’ FEST: THROUGH SUNDAY
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: Free to browse the marketplace; workshops and camping are ticketed
A weekend gathering of spoon carvers, bowl turners, chair makers and basket weavers. Roy Underhill is among those giving free public demonstrations.
🎨 FEARRINGTON OPEN STUDIO TOUR: SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
When: Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday noon–5 p.m.
Where: Throughout Fearrington Village; follow the signs
Cost: Free
Nineteen resident artists open their homes and studios: painters, potters, photographers, woodworkers, sculptors and fiber artists.
🎃 CHATHAM PARK FALL FUN FEST: SATURDAY
When: 3–5 p.m.
Where: The NoVi Green, 175 Parkland Drive, Pittsboro
Cost: Free
Music, barbecue, pumpkin painting, axe throwing, face painting, a balloon artist and a bounce house. Five Parade of Homes entries are open for tours from noon to 5.
🎶 BAGELS AND BANJOS SING-ALONG: SATURDAY
When: Breakfast at 9 a.m., sing-along at 10
Where: Bynum General Store, 950 Bynum Road, Bynum
Cost: Free; donations welcome
Bagels, pastries and coffee, then a bluegrass sing-along led by the Bynum jam circle. Lyrics provided.
🌽 HUCKLEBERRY TRAIL FARM FALL FESTIVAL: WEEKENDS
When: Saturdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sundays 1–6 p.m.
Where: Huckleberry Trail Farm, 143 Pleasant Hill Church Road, Siler City
Cost: Admission ticket required
A corn maze, tractor-drawn hayrides, a pumpkin patch and a cotton patch.
🥕 FARMERS MARKETS THIS WEEK
Chatham Mills Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.–noon, 480 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro
Siler City Growers & Makers Market: Wednesdays, 4–7 p.m., 420 E. 3rd St., 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 OCT. 23
🎪 CIRQUE KIKASSE: SANTÉ! AT THE PLANT: THU., OCT. 15
When: 6–8 p.m.
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: Free
A food truck turns into a stage for acrobatics, balancing acts and physical comedy, part of the Carolina Theatre’s centennial. All ages. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
🎃 TRUNK OR TREAT FALL FESTIVAL: SAT., OCT. 17
When: 2–5 p.m.
Where: Southwest District Park, N.C. 902, Bear Creek
Cost: Free admission and parking
Pumpkin carving and painting, Halloween games and crafts, a photo booth, a bounce house and a hay hunt from 2 to 4, then trunk-or-treat from 4 to 5. Leashed pets are welcome.
🎪 WALKER AND MAGNUS TRAVELLING CIRCUS: WEEKENDS, OCT. 17–NOV. 1
When: All-ages shows Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.; evening shows for ages 16 and up on select dates
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Cost: $20 adults, $10 ages 12 and under
Kuro Neko Circus Co. raises a big top for aerialists, acrobats, jugglers and clowns, with a Museum of Curiosities to explore before the show.
🌈 PRIDE DRAG SHOW AND DANCE PARTY: SAT., OCT. 17
When: 6–10 p.m.
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
The outdoor kickoff to Pittsboro Pride, with drag performances, music and dancing. Ages 13 and up.
🌈 PITTSBORO PRIDE FESTIVAL AND PARADE: SUN., OCT. 18
When: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
The Chatham Pride Alliance hosts a day of celebration, connection and community. The full schedule is online.
🐯 TWILIGHT TOURS AT CAROLINA TIGER RESCUE: WEEKENDS THROUGH OCT. 31
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, about 90 minutes
Where: Carolina Tiger Rescue, 1940 Hanks Chapel Road, Pittsboro
Cost: $32; ages 18 and up; advance tickets required
Guests have the sanctuary to themselves after the day’s work is done. The season ends Oct. 31.
🎉 WEBB SQUARED’S FIFTH ANNIVERSARY: THU., OCT. 22
When: 5–8 p.m.
Where: 79°West Innovation Hub, 120 Mosaic Blvd., Pittsboro
WEBB Squared, Wealth Through Entrepreneurship for Black and Brown Businesses, marks five years of supporting rural small businesses. Networking and heavy hors d’oeuvres from 5 to 6, then music, awards and remembrances. Changemaker Awards go to CORE, NC IDEA and Partners in Racial Justice.
🎤 KIKI’S COMEDY CLUB: THU., OCT. 22
When: 7–9 p.m.
Where: Fair Game Beverage Company, 192 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Stand-up in Fair Game’s Wheelhouse, curated by comedian Kiki Wynns, with a different lineup of North Carolina comics every show.
🛍 BAZAAR NIGHT MARKET AT THE PLANT: FRI., OCT. 23
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.
👻 SPIRITS OF PITTSBORO’S PAST: OCT. 23–25
When: 5:30 p.m. each night
Where: Starts at the Historic Chatham Courthouse, 9 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro
Cost: $25 for Chatham County Historical Association members, $30 for nonmembers; tickets online only
The historical association’s walking tour of downtown folklore, with costumed “spirits” along the way. Each night is capped at 60 tickets, and they sell out quickly.
AROUND TOWN
JUDGE SIDES WITH DEVELOPER IN MONCURE DATA CENTER FIGHT
A Superior Court judge has found Chatham County liable in the lawsuit over a proposed data center at Triangle Innovation Point West, the 400-plus-acre industrial park near Pea Ridge Road and Old U.S. 1 in Moncure. Developer Eco TIP West LLC says it spent four years and more than $11 million preparing the site for a data center drawing about 750 megawatts. Then, in February, commissioners adopted a 12-month pause on data centers, and the company sued.
Judge John M. Morris’s Sept. 17 order ruled for Eco TIP on liability and entitled the company to its legal fees. How much the county owes in fees and damages will be decided later. The county has said it is weighing its legal options, and commissioners scheduled a closed session on the case for their Oct. 5 meeting. Work on data center rules for future projects continues.
SILER CITY MAPS OUT ITS DOWNTOWN
Siler City is on its way to joining Pittsboro as a Main Street community. In July 2025 it was the only town in North Carolina picked for the Downtown Associate Community program, the first step toward full Main Street designation. On Monday, its board took up an 18-month downtown work plan built on two ideas: lean into the town’s industrial and agricultural heritage, and make downtown a destination for food, arts, walkability and events.
The list runs from a building inventory and façade grants to wayfinding signs, spring and fall litter sweeps and a workforce partnership with Central Carolina Community College. Staff planned a public unveiling for Oct. 15 at the Welcome Center, 200 N. Chatham Ave., and the Siler City Development Organization holds its annual public meeting Oct. 19 in the Town Hall courtroom.
A RECORD GRANT KEEPS A STALEY CATTLE FARM IN FARMING
Chatham County’s Farmland Preservation Program has landed the largest grant in its history: $665,000 from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. The money will help buy a permanent working-lands conservation easement on Rocky River Farm, a 221-acre cattle farm and working forest in the Staley community. The county will add $191,500 from its farmland preservation funds, and the landowner is donating the rest of the easement’s value.
It is the program’s first award through the state fund’s regular easement program, and the program only started in 2023. Commissioners also approved $1.154 million for farmland preservation on Sept. 21, money already set aside from sales tax and present-use-value rollback revenue. With growth pressing on every side of the county, those 221 acres stay pasture and forest for good.
THE POST SCRIPT
“A nice little downtown where you want to come on a Saturday, walk around, do some shopping, get some coffee and a donut. And then tour the rest of the county.”
That’s Mayor Hensley’s Goldston. Tomorrow is a good day to go see 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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