Good morning, Spartanburg.

Several Upstate organizations are hosting free Thanksgiving meals and volunteer opportunities to help those in need, with soup kitchens in Greer serving from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and in Spartanburg from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. + Project Host in Greenville available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while other programs offer meal giveaways and delivery services.

The Mary H. Wright Greenway trail extension in Spartanburg will connect key routes in the Southside neighborhood and is set to finish early 2026.

The state-funded project will extend paths along Hudson Barksdale Boulevard to Caulder Avenue and Alexander Avenue to Duncan Street—linking the trail system to Priscilla Rumley Park and the Hub City Hopper Trail.

The Spartanburg County Pet Resource Center is set to finish construction in early January and will open in February—leaders explained it will merge with Animal Control to focus on pet intake, medical care, and community support.

The center will also begin hiring new staff before operations start.

A proposed bill in South Carolina would require doctors and pharmacists to give a scripted warning about the Pfizer vaccine—stating it is new and may have leftover DNA fragments—before shots are given, with Senator Tom Corbin from Greenville leading the push.

Medical experts are concerned this measure could cause unnecessary fear even as they note the vaccine has saved lives and the bill remains in committee.

Spartanburg City Council approved phase II of the Mary H Wright Greenway extension that will add two spurs from the southern terminus at Marion Ave and Hudson L Barksdale Blvd—Bird Corporation won the low bid at $468,300 with a state grant of $365,228 and construction will begin in the coming weeks. The council also approved a development agreement for an $18 million mixed-use project at 111 E Main and 109 E Main—this project will include ground floor retail and 22 to 26 apartment units with construction set for the second quarter of next year.

A fighter pilot from upstate, 1st Lt. Morton Sher, was identified after remains from his 1943 plane crash in Hengshan County, China were confirmed using nuclear analysis.

Officials said he will be laid to rest in his hometown soon—his burial date is not yet set.

State health officials confirmed five new measles cases since November 18—two among quarantined household members and three from unknown sources—bringing the outbreak total to 49 cases in the Upstate and 52 overall this year.

Officials urged vaccination after Spartanburg County saw a 110% rise in MMR shots and are expanding access with a Mobile Health Unit.

A farmer from Noonday Farm in Landrum described how he raises turkeys for family Thanksgiving meals—he said his poultry farm carefully prepares each bird to be the main course at holiday dinners.

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

3:00 – 4:30 PM — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — $30 for Alcove Upgrade — Experience the joy of a spectacular holiday ballet with an international cast and whimsical puppetry.

Lindsey Stirling Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — Upgrade for $30 for exclusive pre-show access — Experience the enchantment of Lindsey Stirling's electronic violin performance.

Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol

6-8 p.m. — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a heartwarming musical featuring Dolly Parton's beloved songs this holiday season.

Elmo and Friends Say Hello

6-7:30 p.m. — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a delightful show with Elmo, Abby, and friends from Sesame Street.

Napoleon Dynamite Live

7:30-9:00 PM — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — $30 for Alcove Upgrade — Experience the cherished indie classic with the added luxury of pre-show lounge access and refreshments.

Wheel Of Fortune Live!

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — Ticket purchase required — Test your luck as a contestant on the iconic game show stage.

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker

7 p.m. — Twichell Auditorium — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holiday favorite with new costumes and choreography featuring Clara's magical Christmas Eve adventures.

Santa Fun Run 5K in Inman, SC

8:45 a.m. — Leroy Mathis Park — Donation of a new toy required — Celebrate the holiday while running for a good cause by bringing a toy for a child in need.

Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas

2:30-4:30 PM — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — Ticket information available — Experience the captivating piano melodies of Jim Brickman during his holiday concert.

Bingo Loco

7-8:30 p.m. — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium — $30 add-on for Alcove Upgrade — Experience a lively bingo night with an exclusive pre-show lounge access.