The Camden Catch-Up for October 5 - 12, 2026

This is one of those weeks where Camden County would apparently like us to be very well-informed citizens and have an exceptionally good time.

We have tax hearings. We have candidate forums. We have a voter education event.

But we also have Halloween trains, bats, a haunted library, permanent jewelry, books, silent discos, a supper club, line dancing, a triathlon and — because the Okefenokee never disappoints — a swamp hollering contest.

So let’s talk about the week.

First: There Are Some Important Local Conversations Happening

If you’ve been meaning to pay a little more attention to what’s happening in local government, this is a very good week to start.

On Monday, October 5 at 5 p.m., St. Marys is holding a public hearing regarding the proposed 19.6% tax increase at the current City Hall in Downtown St. Marys.

Then from 6–8 p.m. Monday, there’s a Voter Education Forum at The Kinlaw School, 1197 Kinlaw Road in Woodbine. This is not a candidate forum. Instead, the conversation is about the issues affecting our community and which elected offices actually have the authority to address them.

I think that distinction is genuinely useful. Local government gets confusing quickly, and knowing who is responsible for what makes it much easier to ask better questions.

On Tuesday at 6 p.m., Camden County holds its public hearing on the county millage rate at the Government Services building in Woodbine.

And yes, Kingsland, your tax conversation is coming too. Your meeting is next week.

St. Marys City Council Candidate Forums

There are also three opportunities this week to hear directly from candidates for St. Marys City Council.

Tuesday, October 6 — Post 1
Jerry Brumbelow, Ken Jelley and Artie Jones

Wednesday, October 7 — Post 2
Steve Connor, Nick Harris and Wanda Townes

Thursday, October 8 — Post 3
Chad Ingram, Amanda Moore and Joey Palimeno

All three are being held at the Santa Maria in St. Marys, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a meet and greet. Questions begin at 6, followed by another opportunity to talk with the candidates until 8.

Whatever your opinions are, local elections are one of the places where showing up and paying attention can have an enormous impact.

Meanwhile, Camden County Is Still Camden County

Tuesday night at 6, One More Chapter Bookseller is bringing back The Crow.

The premise is based on crows collecting little treasures along their journeys: wear black and bring a trinket to exchange.

It’s $7, and frankly, this is exactly the sort of oddly specific little community event I love finding for Camden CatchUp.

Learn more about The Crow

Coffee, Golf, Bikes & Books

Wednesday starts at 8:30 a.m. with Coffee and Commerce with the Camden County Chamber of Commerce at Huey Magoo’s.

It’s also the first Wednesday of the month, which means another MWR Golf Tournament. These happen on the first and third Wednesdays, with four-person teams, a shotgun start, lunch and cart fees included in registration.

MWR Golf Tournament details

Wednesday night at 7 is Bike Night at Axes and 8’s.

Then on Thursday from 2–4 p.m., local author Linda Ford-Ayers will be at One More Chapter Bookseller signing her latest book. Copies are $15.99, and you can reserve yours ahead of time.

Reserve a book for the signing

Also Thursday from 2–6 p.m., Blue Bridge Coffeehouse in Kingsland is hosting a Permanent Jewelry event.

Friday: Get Outside — Or Head Downtown

Friday morning at 9, Crooked River State Park is hosting a Marsh March, beginning at the Sempervirens Trail Head. Call the park at 912-882-5256 for more information.

Then Alive After 5 returns to Downtown St. Marys, including the rescheduled Wiener Walk.

And if Camden County somehow has not exhausted you, there’s a Sunset Silent Disco at the Jacksonville Beach Pierfrom 7–10 p.m. It’s open to all ages, with $5 admission for kids and $10 for adults.

Saturday Is Completely Ridiculous — In the Best Way

Honestly, I’m not sure how you’re supposed to choose.

Okefenokee Festival

The Okefenokee Festival runs from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. in Folkston with a parade, car show, vendors, live music and plenty more.

And at 1 p.m. there is a swamp hollering contest.

I don’t have anything to add to that. Obviously I needed you to know.

Puzzles & Making Things

At 10 a.m., St. Marys Public Library is hosting a Puzzle Exchange.

Also from 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Beyond Fabric has an Adult Appliqué Class for $30. They also have several other classes on their calendar, so even if appliqué is not your particular calling, it is worth seeing what else they have coming up.

See Beyond Fabric's events

Halloween Trains Are Here

The Georgia Train at Kingsland Station officially enters spooky season Saturday.

There are family-friendly Meet-The-Monsters rides at 2 and 4 p.m., and costumes are encouraged.

Then at 6 p.m., things shift to the Zombie Train, where parental discretion is advised.

Halloween Train tickets and information

Dinner With New Friends

From 6–8 p.m., The Cafe at Cottle & Gunn is hosting its Supper Club, featuring a four-course meal and a chance to share the table with some new people.

That whole concept feels very Camden CatchUp to me.

Cottle & Gunn Supper Club

Pick Your Saturday Night Personality

At 7 p.m., Jaybird Hammock Farm in Fernandina is hosting a Moonlight Meditation, Hammock and Sound Bath Experience.

Moonlight Meditation details

At 7:30 p.m., Crooked River State Park has a Bat Hike. Registration is required, so call 912-882-5256.

Also from 7:30–9:30 p.m., Camden County Public Library transforms into the Haunted Library, complete with live characters and surprises. This one is not intended for young children.

And then, for the people who still somehow have energy left, there’s a 90s Silent Dance Party from 10 p.m.–2 a.m., featuring DJs Spin, EZ Filthy and DJ X-Alent.

90s Silent Dance Party details

That is a spectacular range of possible Saturday evenings.

Meditate in a hammock.

Look for bats.

Get scared in a library.

Dance until 2 a.m.

Know thyself.

Sunday: Swim, Sip, Dance or Bird

Sunday morning, the Game On! Sprint and Olympic Triathlon is happening down in St. Augustine.

Game On! Triathlon details

Back here at home, our friends at Novel Brews are celebrating their second birthday from 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

You can find Brandy, the books and some special birthday drinks in our parking lot at CENTURY 21 Crest Realty, 2512 Osborne Road in St. Marys.

Come tell them happy birthday. A full year (I accidentally said two years!) of coffee and books deserves celebrating.

From 9–10 a.m., Crooked River State Park offers Birding Basics. Call 912-882-5256 for more information.

And from 3:45–5 p.m., Melanin in Motion is hosting line dancing at Axes and 8’s. Admission is $10 per person.

And One More for Monday

Looking just beyond the weekend, Wreckreaction Scuba Underwater Adventures Dive Crew holds its monthly meeting Monday, October 12 at 6 p.m.

Because apparently even the next Camden CatchUp is already trying to begin.

Go Find Your Thing

One of my favorite things about making Camden CatchUp every week is realizing how many completely different versions of “community” can exist in the same place.

You might care deeply about a city council race.

You might want to meet a local author.

You might want dinner with strangers, a walk through the marsh, or an excuse to dress up and ride a Halloween train with your kids.

You might, apparently, want to compete in swamp hollering.

There’s room for all of it.

So pick something. Show up. Meet somebody. Learn something.

And if we missed something happening around Camden County, tell us. The list can always get a little longer.

See you out there!

-Sal