October Recreation: What Ghosts Around, Comes Around

RECREATION & LEISURE

By Randy B. Young
Correspondent

This month, the list of Halloween-themed local activities and events isn’t merely good—it’s scary good. Creepin’ it real, here are a few of the local opportunities leading up to that Saturday Fright Live on Halloween—whichever you choose, you’re guaranteed a spook-tacular time!

Chatham, Orange Counties say, “fright this way”

On Friday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m., Chatham County Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Resources will stage a free outdoor movie night at the Park at Briar Chapel, where the family-friendly film will be “Monsters, Inc.,” beginning at sunset. Bring chairs, blankets, snacks, and even your boy or “ghoul” friend.

If you’re looking to meet some frightful beasts of the southern wild, Chatham County is sponsoring a full afternoon of free Halloween activities at its Trunk-or-Treat Fall Festival at Southwest District Park from 2 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 17.

Program Supervisor Mallory Peterson said attractions include pumpkin carving/painting, games and crafts, a hay hunt, a photo booth and a food truck. Trunk-or-treat activities will start at 4 p.m. Those interested in hosting a trunk at the event should contact Peterson at mallory.peterson@chathamcountync.gov.

Participants at last year’s Chatham Trunk-or-Treat event are surrounded by some friendly fiends in 2025. Photo courtesy of Chatham County Park and Recreation.

Young artists aged 5-13 can test their monster-making skills by designing their own spooky or silly Halloween scene—from haunted houses to glowing jack-o’-lanterns and friendly ghosts—using colorful paper, patterned materials, and mixed-media collage techniques at a Halloween-themed arts and crafts program on October 24 (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.).

The $20.00 class will be held at the Chatham County Arts Center, and registration is available at https://ccparksandrec.recdesk.com.

Moving north, Orange County will host a Halloween Spook-tacular on Saturday, October 24 from 1–4 p.m. at the Central Recreation Center Field at 302 West Tryon Street in Hillsborough. The event will feature a cakewalk, pumpkin hunt and pumpkin decorating, carnival games and a costume contest.

Chill on the (Chapel) Hill

“T.G.I.(Fright-days)!”

The Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation is inviting kids aged 6-12 to its Fall Carnival at Hargraves Center on Friday, October 9 from 5 – 7 p.m., according to Town of Chapel Hill Communications Manager Alex Carrasquillo.

The family-friendly event includes various carnival games and is a fantastic alternative for those who prefer to avoid the scarier Halloween ghouls and goblins.

Sponsors at Chapel Hill’s 2025 “Haunted Hill: Trunk-or-Treat” event at the Chapel Hill Community Center conspired to create a perfect family-friendly alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Photo courtesy of the Town of Chapel Hill.

On Friday, October 30 (5 – 7:30 p.m.), Chapel Hill will stage its “Haunted Hill: Trunk-or-Treat” event at the Chapel Hill Community Center, a perfect family-friendly alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.

For further information on this and other Halloween events in Chapel Hill, visit the following website:
https://webtrac.townofchapelhill.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?module=AR&type=EVENT

Chapel Hill Community Arts and Culture will stage its popular Día de Muertos, returning for a third year. The public is invited to the Sunday, October 25 event at 140 West Franklin Street Plaza from 12–4 p.m.

The joyful, heartfelt holiday honors loved ones through art and culture, with eclectic art vendors, music, and community. For more information, visit: https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/dia-de-muertos/.

UNC’s Morehead Planetarium will again stage its “Scare-olina Skies” program on the evenings of Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31. For more information and ticket pricing, visit the Morehead Planetarium website at https://moreheadplanetarium.org/.

“Ghoul-oriented”

Carrboro starts its Halloween-themed docket with an outdoor movie night on the Town Commons on Friday, October 16 (6:30 p.m. festivities with a 7 p.m. movie start), featuring the movie Hotel Transylvania.

The public is encouraged to bring friends and family (children under 12, however, will not be admitted without a parent or guardian present), blankets and chairs. Limited concessions will be available for purchase (cash only).

On Friday, October 23, from 5 – 7:30 p.m., Carrboro will stage the family-friendly “Music and Stories Under the Stars” on the Weaver Street Market lawn. The evening will include live music beginning at 5 p.m., and there will also be a costume contest (registration will be held 5 – :50 p.m.).

Finally, Carrboro will host its own Halloween Carnival from 5:30 – 8 p.m. on Friday, October 30 at the Carrboro Town Commons.

Carrboro invites the public to enjoy the games for all ages. No registration is necessary for the Town event, which will include carnival-style activities that reward children’s participation with a wickedly good prize bag. Popcorn, hot chocolate, and apple cider will be sold at an on-site concession booth.

Hitting to all fields

Here’s a look at various announcements and events around the community this fall:

• Gear up for Walk and Roll to School Day on October 7

October 7 is Walk and Roll to School Day in Carrboro, which encourages everyone to celebrate and experience the joy of walking, biking, and rolling to school with your school community. Carrboro joins communities nationwide in encouraging active, healthy, and sustainable travel to school.

As part of the celebration, Carrboro Mayor Foushee will lead the walk, ride, and roll from Wilson Park to Carrboro Elementary School with students, family and school administration. Participants should meet at the bike repair stand at Wilson Park (101 Wilson St.) between 7 and 7:15 a.m. A group photo will be taken before the walk departs at 7:20 a.m., and participants are expected to arrive at Carrboro Elementary by 7:35 a.m.

• Net gains

The Cedar Falls Park tennis courts are back in action with free-standing benches, new court surfaces and new net systems (Chapel Hill is still working on the ADA-accessible sidewalk connecting the parking lot to the courts).

• Thanks a million!

Chapel Hill recently received a $10 million gift from the Britt Foundation to support a new community building at Cedars Falls Park and two greenway extensions, Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson noted in a press release.

“This is an incredible investment in Chapel Hill’s future,” Anderson said, “and we are deeply grateful for the generosity that made it possible.”

• Attention social climbers

UNC-Chapel Hill announced its Little Rameses Mega Ultimate Climbing Club. Geared for younger climbers aged 8-13, the program, which began in September,r is held at the UNC Climbing wall on various Sundays (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.). For more information, visit “https://stayactive.unc.edu/program” or email Russell Hobart at Rhobart@unc.edu.

Sue Walsh and participants at last year’s Swim Across America-Carolina, a team relay charity swim that celebrated its fifth anniversary on September 26 at Koury Natatorium at UNC-Chapel Hill. The 2026 event honors Sue Walsh. Photo courtesy of Jenifer Howard, Swim Across America-Carolina.

• Making a Splash in Fight Against Cancer

Hundreds of swimmers on the Carolina Team Relay made Waves to fight cancer at the fifth annual “Swim Across America” on September 26 in UNC’s Koury Natatorium. The event honored Olympic swimmer and cancer fighter Sue Walsh and benefited the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center

Sue Walsh, the captain of the Swim Across America Team Tar Heel, was the event’s top individual fundraiser. A longtime supporter, Walsh has been personally involved with the fight against cancer when it touched her family and then her own life (she was diagnosed in 2019 and continues the fight).

• Let there be lights

New lights are being installed at the Anderson Park tennis courts off Highway 54 West. Electricians will be on site through Monday, October 12. The courts are closed until the installation is complete.

• ‘Tis the (next) season…

Chapel Hill and Carrboro invite organizations and businesses to participate in the Community Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 5 (10- 11:30 a.m.). For more information, visit: https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/chapel-hill-carrboro-community-holiday-parade/

A Dartmouth College graduate, Randy B. Young first worked as an award-winning advertising copywriter in New Hampshire, then in communications at UNC for over 30 years. He maintained an award-winning newspaper feature covering Recreation and Exercise in the Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange County. Retired and living in Chapel Hill, Randy continues to write for regional publications both locally and in New England, and his book, And the Stars Flew With Us, is available through Amazon and at independent bookstores. He coaches track at Chapel Hill High and has a photography business, Pierless (sic) Photography. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press