A La Plata sorority chapter will serve a free Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 21, the first of several Macon County holiday events as schools and offices set Thanksgiving week closings.
The Upsilon Mu chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will hold its second annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, according to the listing on the Gary Cunningham Event Center's community events calendar. The meal is free and "open to everyone," the listing says.
The dinner will be held at the event center on East Moore Street in La Plata. No reservations are needed, and some carryout may be available after the meal, said Crystal Amini-Rad, the event center's manager, who is the contact for the dinner.
Amini-Rad said: "The family and management of the Gary Cunningham Event Center is pleased to partner with the ladies of LaPlata's Upsilon Mu chapter to offer the Laplata area community a wonderful community Thanksgiving Dinner. It is our opportunity to unite the community and offer thanksgiving for the many blessings of living together in our community. The event and program are coordinated by Upsilon Mu and is totally free. All are welcome. Free will donations to Upsilon Mu will be accepted at the event."
The center hosted last year's dinner with the chapter, according to its 2025 listing.
The Macon Elks Lodge Friendsgiving is set for 8 to 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at the lodge, 212 N. Rollins St. in Macon, according to the Macon Area Chamber of Commerce calendar. The listing does not say what the event costs or whether it is open to the public. The lodge's website says it welcomes members and their guests.
Pinnacle Fitness has two Turkey Trot listings at Long Branch State Park, 28615 Visitor Center Road, on the Chamber calendar: a run/walk from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and a 5K fun run/walk from 8:15 to 11 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. The listings do not give entry fees or how to register.
In Callao, Latchford Lights opens as a drive-thru display at Callao Fiesta Park at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving night, with hours of 5 to 10 p.m., Chariton Media Group reported Nov. 8. Admission is free, and after Thanksgiving the display is open Friday through Sunday, the city said.
School districts in Macon, La Plata, Atlanta, Bevier, and Callao all mark a Thanksgiving break on their calendars. Macon County R-I and Callao C-8 have no school all week, Nov. 23 to 27, according to the district calendars. La Plata R-II has no school Nov. 25 to 30. Bevier C-4's Thanksgiving break runs Nov. 25 to 27. The Atlanta C-3 calendar marks Nov. 25 to 27 as Thanksgiving, after an early dismissal Tuesday, Nov. 24.
The U.S. Postal Service lists Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, among its 2026 holidays. Missouri state offices are closed Nov. 26 and 27, according to the state Office of Administration. The day after Thanksgiving is a state holiday this year under an executive order.
OATS Transit will not run regular routes and will close its offices Nov. 26 and 27, Chariton Media Group reported Nov. 6. Macon County riders schedule trips at 660-415-0901 or 800-654-6287.
In Macon, Waste Management does not collect trash or recycling on Thanksgiving Day, and routes after a holiday are pushed back one day, according to the city's trash services page. Collection normally runs Monday through Thursday, so under that rule Thanksgiving Day routes would be picked up Friday, Nov. 27. Missed pickups go to Waste Management at 866-909-4458.
The Macon County Health Department's calendar lists the office as closed for Thanksgiving. Samaritan Hospital's emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to the hospital.
For families who need food help over the holiday, the Macon County Ministries emergency food pantry at 305 Sunset Hills Drive in Macon is listed as open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m., according to the NEMO Resources directory. The listing does not give holiday-week hours. The pantry's number is 660-395-3663.
The Macon Public Works Board approved an $18,000 contribution to Macon County Ministries for 2026, the same as in 2025, and staff said the ministry had pledged $14,425 back onto customer utility accounts, Chariton Media Group reported Nov. 9.
Hunters can donate whole field-dressed deer to Share the Harvest at a refrigerated drop-off at MFA, 1805 N. Missouri St. in Macon, through Dec. 14, Chariton Media Group reported Nov. 6.
The holidays come as Conagra Brands prepares to close its Macon plant Jan. 15, 2027, Chariton Media Group reported Nov. 9. Missouri now requires SNAP applicants and people renewing benefits to document housing costs and resources such as bank balances, Chariton Media Group reported Oct. 2.