PEPPERMINT PATHWAYS ADDED TO PINECONE PATHWAYS FRANCHISE

Starworks Glassmakers to Create 30 Glass Candy Canes for Program

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (November 4, 2026) – The Moore County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) has announced a new trails experience for the holiday season. Peppermint Pathways is the newest scavenger hunt experience and the fourth one as part of the original Pinecone Pathways program. The TDA has once again partnered with glassmakers at Starworks in Star to create 30 glass candy canes that will be hidden on select Moore County trails from Dec. 3-7.

Peppermint Pathways joins the lineup of hunts to include Pinecone Pathways in the spring, Peach Pathways during Peach Week in July and Pottery Pinecones on Great Trails State Day on the third Saturday in October.

“Peppermint Pathways now gives everyone a reason to get out and find the treasures we hide on our trails every season of the year,” said Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen President and CEO Phil Werz. “All of these pathways program treasures are unique and exclusive to us, so that’s what makes them so valuable to those looking for them. You have to find them to get them and we’ve seen people from as far away as eight states that join Moore County residents in discovering our trails and searching one of these keepsakes.”

Among those who register their glass candy canes, one name will be drawn for the grand prize which includes a one-night stay at the Courtyard by Marriott in Aberdeen, four tickets to the Sandhills Garden of Lights and two Twisted Peppermint candles made by Seagrove Potter Crystal King and her company, Seagrove Handcrafted Candles. A special tag with a QR code will be attached to each candy cane, so they can be registered for the grand prize. To protect the glass candy canes, each one hidden will be housed inside a clear-faced gift box. Only one registration be person will be accepted. Each day during the campaign, the TDA will publish the trails where candy canes can be found via their social media channels.

To learn more about the Peppermint Pathway program, go to: https://homeofgolf.com/peppermint-pathways/

Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen is the economic development agency responsible for travel and tourism promotion, product development, and visitor services for Moore County, NC. The organization devises strategies to enhance the County’s tourism brand value and product to accommodate the next generation of visitors, thereby stimulating the local economy and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. In 2025, Moore County ranked as the tenth largest tourism economy in North Carolina, generating $901 million annually in visitor spending, which supports the second largest employment sector in the county and saves county residents approximately $578 a year in state and local taxes.