20 fun things to do in Chatham

Posted Saturday, August 5, 2006

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Chatham County, NC - Looking for something fun to this this summer and fall in Chatham County? We've assembled a list of 20 things you may want to try.

EVENTS

1. Fun on the Farm

Our area is a leader in the number of farms, nurseries, fresh produce, and flowers. So it is only natural to want to tour it all. Farmers' markets open in April and we have so much to offer that we have two farmers' markets in Pittsboro! Any Tuesday or Thursday from April through November, we invite you to take from our farms to your table: fresh corn, jams, strawberries, tomatoes, blueberries, and so much more.
www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/farmprofiles.html

2. Holly Hill Daylily & Crinum Farm

Wonderful Daylily farm. Crinums, Verbenas, Red Hot Pokers, and assorted perennials available in pots. Garden art.
150 River Point Road
Moncure, NC 27559
lilyfarm@mindspring.com
919.542.4919
www.hollyhilldaylilies.com

3. Horizon Cellars Music Series and Barrel Dinners
Fine music, food, and fine wines--award-winning
466 Vineyard Ridge
Siler City, NC 27344
events@horizoncellars.com
919.742.1404
http://www.horizoncellars.com

4. Music at Reno's
Open Gospel Pickin is every first Saturday and Open Bluegrass Pickin is every third Saturday morning of the month. Pickers are asked to bring acoustic instruments only. Join the fun and music at Reno Sharpe's Store from 10am until we're tired. Where: On the corner of Goldston-Pittsboro Rd. and Reno Sharpe Store Rd. between Pittsboro and Goldston.
Free and open to the public.
Dates: Aug 5, Aug 19; Sep 2, Sep 16 (Reno s Birthday Party); Oct 7, Oct 21; Nov 4, Nov 18; Dec 2, Dec 16 (Holiday Potluck)
FMI: twtron@nortel.com or 919.542.8401

5. Front Porch Music Series
The show begins at 7:30 PM (rain or shine) at Bynum General Store, 950 Bynum Road, in Bynum, 10 miles south of Chapel Hill. The concert is free, but the suggested contribution is $3 - 7 per adult. 100% of the donations goes to the artists. The Bynum General Store carries a selection of snacks, ice cream, and cold drinks just what you need to enjoy great music on a warm summer night. FMI: contact Jerry Partin, 260-4108. Alcohol is not permitted. Bring the whole family.
FMI: Jerry at nitrap@mindspring.com
950 Bynum Road
Bynum, NC 27312
919.542.1858
www.carrboro.com/bynummusic

6. First Sunday

Antique stores, specialty shops, great restaurants and selected businesses will be open 12:00 until 5:00 PM. Artists and craftspersons are on the sidewalks.
www.pittsboroshops.com/FirstSunday.htm

7. New Hope Valley Railway Train Rides

The New Hope Valley Railway, one of our most popular family attractions, offers train rides on Sundays (check schedules to confirm). Live music, garden railroad, snackbar. Browse the museum of railroad equipment from throughout North Carolina. Exhibits include cars and locomotives, a collection of historic memorabilia, and a six-hundred foot garden size model railway. Trains leave at 11am, 12:15pm, 1:30pm, 2:45pm, and 4pm. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the train you plan to ride so as to allow time to park and get tickets. The trip to New Hill and return to Bonsal takes about an hour. Feel free to call to verify that trains are operating.

Keep Cool in the Woods - Aug 6; Old Bonsal Day - Sep 3; Fall Festival - Oct 1; Halloween Trains, Oct 28; Steam Weekend, Whistle day – Nov 4 and 5; Holiday Trains - Dec 2, 3, 9,

10 New Hill - Bonsal Road 27562
FMI: info@nhvry.org or 919.362.5416
www.nhvry.org

8. Rock Rest Amphitheater

Music Series
Aug 26, 2006; Sep 09, 2006
The Rock Rest Amphitheater in Northern Chatham County is back this year as the site of a summer outside music series. Reserve seats, get directions: 919.260.0661 or rockrest@mindspring.com Donations of $10 per seat are requested; kids under 12 are free.
Pittsboro, NC 27312
rockrestlive.com

9. Old Fashioned Farmers' Day

The longest-running festival in Chatham County offers a variety of exhibits, great food, and fun for the entire family. Friday, Sep 2: Gates open at 6pm and food is available. Antique Tractor Pull at 8pm. Saturday, Sep 3 & 4: Event opens at 9am - Saw and shingle milling, rock crushing, threshing, baling, corn shredding, children's games, antique tractor pull, Challenger Draft Horse Pull, Live Music and Entertainment, plus great homemade dishes and desserts.
G.T. Petty Memorial Fairgrounds
Siler City, NC 27344
919.742.3333
www.silkhoperuritans.com

10. Flatwoods Festival

September 9 & 10.

Fun & festivities, grand parade of antique cars, trucks, tractors, and farm machinery. Artists' demonstrations, drawings for cash prizes, pony rides, crafts for sale, antique farm display, petting zoo, antique tractor pull, and bluegrass music are all on the venue. The festivities will kick off with gospel music from the Pioneer, the first "Little Miss Flatwoods" contest, and auction. Featured in the auction will be many hand turned pottery pieces, plus golf outings, gift baskets, handmade quilts, and NASCAR memorabilia. The craft, hobby and food vendors will be on hand with their various offerings. The celebration continues the next day with the Flatwoods Parade in down town Bennett at 10am. Food and drinks will be available. Last years' event featured over 500 antique cars, trucks, tractors and horse drawn vehicles.

Lunch includes homemade barbecue pork, chicken, hush puppies and pinto beans. Antique farm equipment and show vehicles will be on display.

Exhibitors, Antiques, Arts and Craft vendors will be on hand along with pony rides, and amusements for the children. The bluegrass music will begin at 11:30am, and will be followed by an Opening Ceremony at 12:30pm. A special history demonstration by The Scotch Riflemen Camp # 2001. The enactors will perform various demonstrations of camp life and will fire an original civil war cannon at the opening ceremony and will repeat the demonstration at various times during the afternoon. Admission fee, free parking.

Hussey Farm
Bennett, NC
husseyfarm@RTMC.net
FMI: 336.581.3677 or 800.316.3829

11. Shakori Hills Moonlight, Music & Dance Series

Shakori Hills-sponsored: Moonlight, Music & Dance Series at the Farmstead!

Every Friday night, Now - Oct 27, 6:30pm - 10pm. Music (7:30pm), plus pizza, local arts, farmers' market (6:30 pm), and more. Great company, great community, great vibe, and endless indulgence in pure whimsy, plus your attendance helps us preserve 72 acres of gorgeous farmland for community arts, cultural, educational, and wellness programming! Beer and wine permitted. Picnics are welcome, and enjoy dancing and open jam sessions.

Suggested donation amount: $5 - $8 per adult. Jul 21, 28; Aug 4, 11, 18, 25; Sep 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Oct 6, 13, 20, 27.

1439 Henderson Tanyard Road
Silk Hope, NC 27312
mollymp@earthlink.net
FMI: 919.542.1858
www.shakorihills.org

12. Fall Shakori GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance

Oct 05, 2006 to Oct 08, 2006

Live music, dancing, children's area, puppets, parades, crafts, food, camping, and fun for all ages. Advance tickets at reduced prices available now.

1439 Henderson Tanyard Road
Silk Hope, NC 27312
Organization: Shakori Hills Farm
shakorihills@grassrootsfest.org
FMI: 919.542.1858
www.shakorihills.org

13. Heritage Day at Jordan Lake

October 7

Both children and adults will enjoy the great celebration at Jordan Lake, a free annual event. Celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the Jordan Lake area. Have fun learning how things used to be done and experience doing things the 'old-fashioned' way. Enjoy historical demonstrations including blacksmithing, basket weaving, cooking, and farming. Historical farm equipment will be on display. Hands-on activities will include archery, making corn shuck dolls, and children's games. FREE. Family fun!

280 State Park Road
Apex, NC 27523
jordan.lake@ncmail.net
FMI: 919.362.0586
www.ncsparks.net/jord/heritage.html

14. Southern Supreme Gourmet Confections Holiday Open House

Oct 12, 2006 to Oct 15, 2006

Visit North Carolina's largest producer of fruitcakes and watch how they make fruitcakes and other confections--cooking stations are in full force and the showroom is decorated for the holidays. Sample goodies and enjoy their fine Southern hospitality. Groups welcome. Year-round tours. Free. Take the scenic byway to Bear Creek for these goodies!

1699 Hoyt Scott Rd.
Bear Creek, NC
FMI: sosupreme@rtmc.net or 336.581.3141

15. Events at Fearrington Village

Wine tastings, literary events, getaways, food tastings, garden tours, and more!

Fearrington Village
2000 Fearrington Village Center
Pittsboro, NC 27312
919.542.2121
www.fearrington.com

16. Celebrity Dairy Fall Open Barn

Nov 26, 2006

Celebrate the fall and see the goat dairy at the end of its season. Great holiday event with decorations, refreshments, and more.

2106 Mt. Vernon-Hickory Mountain Rd.
Siler City, NC 27344
theinn@celebritydairy.com
FMI: 919.742.5176
www.celebritydairy.com

17. Fitness with Family

Home to the best in all of walking, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and more. While exercise can be fun, we encourage you to indulge in our scenic beauty and see our stars at night, at an astronomy session at Jordan Lake State Recreational Area, with astronomers from Morehead Planetarium to guide you.

Prefer soaking up the sun? Swim, fish, sail, canoe, hike, bike, kayak, stroll the trails and three rivers we love at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area; Haw, Rocky, or Deep River, NC Scenic Byway - Devil's Stomping Ground Road, etc.

Walk the Talking Tree Trail at Jordan Lake State Recreational Forest and learn as you go.

Attend the Earth Day Wildflower Hike, a relaxed two hour walk that shows you spring wildflowers, birds, and wildlife. Are you a birdwatcher? Perhaps you would want to try the Eagle Watch Hike.

ils.unc.edu/parkproject//visit/jord/home.html

18. Green Scenes

Ninety holes of golf, Audubon-certified sanctuary course, championship course, are just a few facets of golf in our area. Chatham County golf courses are in Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, and Siler City, plus the Jordan Lake Driving Range in Apex. And, if we can take a moment to name-drop, then it is worth mentioning these names: Jack Nicklaus, Fred Couples, and Davis Love III.

19. Gourmet and Gardens

Spring fling getaways, garden tours, and gardening seminars are just a few of the Fearrington House events inviting you to luxuriate and learn in spring. Fearrington Village is open to visitors seven days a week, year round and visitors are welcome to stroll through the signature gardens at any time.

Learn more about the breathtaking gardens with Fearrington's series of Guided Garden Tours, led by their own horticulturist. The tours begin with morning coffee at The Market and a brief introduction. Afterwards, attendees will tour the gardens and learn about their history, plants and planning. An optional two-course lunch will be available at The Market Cafe following the tour. Introduction and Tour, $15 per person, $30 with lunch. Reservations are required and groups are welcome.

Gardeners, avid and amateur, will want to attend the Fearrington Spring Gardening Symposium, with Fearrington's Gardeners and Guest Speaker Chip Callaway. Fearrington's gardeners will demonstrate how to introduce fabulously fragrant and colorful tropicals to your courtyard, garden beds, or containers. Attendees will also learn about the history, design and implementation of tropicals found in the Fearrington Gardens. The symposium is $85 and includes continental breakfast and gourmet lunch. The class retreats include overnight accommodation, afternoon tea, wine and hors d'oeuvres reception, dinner at The Fearrington House Restaurant, full gourmet breakfast, all handouts, and hands-on instruction.

20. The Great Outdoors

Chatham County is home to two wineries, Silk Hope Winery in Pittsboro and Horizon Cellars Winery in Siler City. Explore the scene at the vineyards, sip award-winning wines, enjoy live music, and taste great food accompanied with fine wine at a special barrel room dinner. Wine tastings are frequented events at both wineries as well as at Fearrington Grocery Co.

To Do

Tours of the Carnivore Preservation Trust

www.cptigers.org

Deep River Camelback Truss Bridge

Devil's Stomping Ground off scenic Byway NC 902

Fearrington Farmers' Market

Fearrington Village, Shops, Gardens

Folk Art Gallery at Fearrington Village

Historic Districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places

National Historic Register sites.

Horizon Cellars Siler City

Jordan Lake Educational State Forest

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

New Hope Valley Railway Train Rides

New Hill - Bonsal Road

Piedmont Biofuels - Weekly Tours and Potluck Pittsboro-Moncure Rd

Pittsboro Antique Walk in Historic downtown Pittsboro

Pitt Stop Cafe & Race Shop just off the exit 386 in Pittsboro on US 64.

Pittsboro Farmer's Market Chatham at the County Fairgrounds, off US 64

The Rocks - Gemstone Mining Just minutes from Pittsboro

Silk Hope Winery Pittsboro

Southern Supreme Gourmet Confections

Tour de Moncure

Golf

Governors Club Golf Course
www.governorsclub.com/golf.php

Jordan Lake Driving Range on US 64E

The Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club & Junior Golf Club on Big Woods Road
www.thepreservegolf.com

Twin Lakes Golf Course in North Chatham
www.golf-twinlakes.com

The Golf Club at Chapel Ridge – Pittsboro
chapelridgegolf.com

Outdoors

American Tobacco Trail runs through Wake, Chatham, and Durham counties

Miles of bicycle trails throughout Chatham County

Crosswinds Marina & Boat Rental on Chatham county’s Jordan Lake

The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. guided canoe and kayak trips.

Potters' wheels and organic fields throughout Chatham County

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Jordan Lake Educational State Forest

Om Ranch Stables

Pittsboro Sporting Goods & Seafood

Miles of walking trails throughout Chatham County

White Pines Nature Preserve
 

Have you got suggestions for more fun things to do in Chatham County? Email us at editor@chathamjournal.com