How to celebrate Thanksgiving in Anderson County: Your guide to food, shopping, events
With Thanksgiving around the corner, Anderson County has a variety of festive events and activities for the whole family.
Make sure to check out our Thanksgiving guide which is filled with insight on holiday prices, grocery store hours, pre-ordering and dining out options, volunteering, holiday activities for the family and Black Friday deals.
Here are some things to consider this Thanksgiving season.
Prices for Thanksgiving meal prep have increased
When choosing whether to cook Thanksgiving dinner at home or go out to a restaurant, families have many factors to consider.
The biggest factor is cost. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices are up nearly 17% in the past two years. In 2022, the American Farm Bureau Federation predicted the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people to be $64.05 per person.
Though the 2023 estimate has yet to be released, the Consumer Price Index shows food-at-home prices are up by 2.4%.
However, Thanksgiving turkey is cheaper this year than last year. According to the 2023 Wells Fargo Thanksgiving report, released Wednesday. The retail price of whole-fresh turkeys dropped 9% in October compared to last year. Stores saw their costs drop by 30%.
Anderson area grocery store hours
Anderson and Upstate SC grocery stores have started announcing Thanksgiving Day closures.
Customers are encouraged to shop early to stock up on their holiday items.
As they have for the past three years, Walmart stores nationwide will remain closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Since Publix was founded 92 years ago, its doors have been closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Food Lion will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. BI-LO will be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Ingles will be operating from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Here are some restaurants where Anderson residents can pick up or enjoy a Thanksgiving meal
On Thanksgiving Day, guests can dine at The Clock restaurant at 105 Centerville Road, which offers Thanksgiving meal prep dinners and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Breakfast will be served from 6:30-11 a.m. and Thanksgiving menu will be served from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
The Clock Thanksgiving menu includes traditional favorites such as turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. They also offer sides and vegetables like rice, sweet potatoes and potato salad.
Catering orders are currently being accepted at The Clock, but 24-hour notice is requested. For more information, contact 864-226-5959 to place an order.
Have we missed any Anderson restaurants open for Thanksgiving or offering take-home meals? If so, please email me at trose1@gannett.com and let me know! Be sure to check back for updates during the Holiday season.
Here are some Anderson locations serving free Thanksgiving dinner
On Thursday, November 23, 2023. Residents of Anderson can pick up a Thanksgiving meal at Haven of Rest Ministries' Thanksgiving Meal Ministry at 219 West Whitner Street from 10 AM till 2:30 PM
New Life Tabernacle of Praise and Worship Center extended hand Ministry will be hosting their annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov 21, from 200 W Benson Street from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Anderson residents give back to the community during the holidays
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served on Wednesday, Nov. 22, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Anderson Emergency Soup Kitchen, 1527 S. Main St.
Volunteers are welcome to participate.
The soup kitchen will reopen on Friday, Nov. 24, serving lunch from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
For its day-to-day operations, the Anderson Emergency Soup Kitchen is entirely dependent on volunteers and donations.
For those interested in volunteering they can visit their Facebook page or come to the front door.
Anderson Allstate insurance at 1817 N. Boulevard is hosting a food drive at their office from November 20 to December 31 1817 N. Boulevard
Anderson residents can help feed the local community by donating any non-perishable goods like canned vegetables and fruits, canned tuna, or chicken, dried or canned bean, soups, stews, chilli and more.
The first 50 contributors, and receive a FREE gift as a token of our appreciation!
Anderson Salvation Army
The Anderson County Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of activities. This includes bell ringers to collect donations outside of retail partners this holiday season.
The funds raised each year in the annual Red Kettle Campaign support the Army’s year-round work.
Last year, the Salvation Army’s Stringer Emergency Lodge provided over 15,000 nights of lodging and 15,000 meals to 469 men, women, and families with children experiencing homelessness in Anderson County.
The Salvation Army also needs donors to adopt an “Angel” and brighten a child’s Christmas by buying them new clothing and toys through the Angel Tree program.
There are up to 800 children in need. Donors can sign up to give $25 a month to help families in need with money for groceries, clothing, shelter and more.
Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year. Donations can be made online at salvationarmyusa.org.
The Salvation Army has been serving Anderson County since 1910.
Activities in Anderson to celebrate Thanksgiving
The Electric City Gobbler 5k and 1-mile fun run will be held Nov. 23 at 8:30 a.m. at the main entrance of Anderson Mall at 1313 Main St.
All proceeds will support the Operation Active Kids Program, A First Flight Alliance Initiative.
Attendees can register here and purchase a new custom medal and T-shirt here.
Anderson's Lights of Hope will celebrate its 30th anniversary at 150 Rose Valley Blvd. In honor of this milestone, there will be over two miles of outdoor Christmas light displays.
There will be a Christmas village, live holiday wood carving, wagon rides and entertainment.
Gates open daily from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
For more details and hours, check out their website here.
GCD Riders will be hosting a Family Farm Day event on November 25, at 216 Hook Rd in Honea Path. Gates will be open from noon to 5 PM.
The event is open to the public and hosted by GCD Riders, GCD Solutions and Travel LLC, GCD Painting and Restoration and Graceful Rose Designs.
Visitors can shop at the Graceful Rose Designs Table for personalized holiday gifts. They can also learn lasso handling, participate in horsemanship training and developmental riding demonstrations.
Visitors can also groom horses, sit in the saddles, take horseback rides, and learn how to cast a fishing rod. They can also learn some of the fishing baits and tackle used for bass fishing.
There will also be a chance to talk and pray with “ Berry the Bass Man” and fellow DCG brothers.
Visitors can bring canned goods, non-perishable items, and warm items for those in need on Family Farm Day to support Mission Baptist Church's blessing box and upcoming missions.
To RSVP contact GCD Smith at 864-313-1228
On November 25th from 2PM to 4PM. Anderson Big Air is hosting a free meet and greet featuring Spiderman and Elsa at 3523 B Clemson Blvd
AIM is partnering with United Way of Anderson for their 4th annual community wide Thanksgiving distribution event on Monday, November 20th, from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Anderson Civic Center.
Distribution will be first come first served and one package per household.
Requirements include valid ID and proof of address dated October 1st or later.
The 43 annual Jack Hurley Toy Parade
This year 43 annual Jack Hurley Anderson Toy Parade will be held on Sunday November 26th at 2 PM.
The entire road, both lanes of South Main St, will be available to bikes from Burger King down to Hardees/Food Lion
All donations will be used to help underprivileged children at Christmas. To enter you must bring at least one toy for a child.
The parade will begin at the White Jones Hardware and Sporting Goods parking lot on South Main Street.
It will follow Main Street to Mall Road to the Civic Center of Anderson Parking lot where the toys will be donated to Anderson Community children.
A detour sign will be posted along with people keeping traffic off of the yellow highlighted portion of S Main.
Attendees in the parade will line up in the yellow section. All parking lots and roads entering this portion of S Main will be closed.
Bikes must enter the staging area from the red light at Hardee's/Food Lion.
Staging assistance will be on site for parking instructions.
The Food Lion parking lot is the best place to wait for a group to park together.
Road guards will still meet in Watson Village at the ice machine.
For sponsorship or information contact Johnny Cole at 803-965-8715
Have we missed any upcoming Thanksgiving events in Anderson County? If so, please email me at trose1@gannett.com and let me know! Be sure to check back for updates during the Holiday season.
End your night with Black Friday Deals
The Anderson Mall at 3131 N Main St. will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Black Friday, Nov. 24
Visit the Anderson Big Lots at 3427 Clemson Blvd on Nov. 29 for Black Friday deals.
Best Buy's best deals for Black Friday 2023 are here. Customers can unlock exclusive member deals when they become a My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total members.
Walmart has two Black Friday sales and a Cyber Monday sale.
Shop downtown Anderson for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday deals.
Nirvana Massage & Esthetics Black Friday drop-in is at 408 N. Duncan. Selling gift certificates, Farmhouse fresh products and Grande MD lash serum.
The Game Cache at 3131 N Main st will be open from 7AM to 9 PM on Black Friday. The store offers $10 off all consoles, buy one get one half off Funko Pop and 2nd pop must be equal or lesser value.
Including 10% off all games.
Retro Gaming Lounge at 3131 N Main st will be open from 7AM to 2 PM on Black Friday.
Magic & Smiles, located in the Anderson Mall at 3131 N Main St, will open on Black Friday at 9 AM with over 70 items up to 50% OFF.
Travis Jacque Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Anderson County Thanksgiving guide. Prices, Dining, Black Friday deals
