Category: Press Release

GREENVILLE, SC – The Upstate’s biggest single-day celebration of tacos and tequila is back, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more flavorful than ever.
Get ready to party as the Tacos ‘n Tequila Fiesta, presented by Lunazul Tequila, returns for its ninth year on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Events at Judson Mill, 701 Easley Bridge Road in Greenville. Tickets start at $70 and can be purchased at www.tacotequilafiesta.com/tickets.html.
“This isn’t just another food festival. It’s an all-out sensory experience,” said Tammy Johnson, CEO of High Spirits Events, the team behind the event. “From the moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by the sounds of music, the energy of the crowd, and the incredible aroma of fresh tacos being crafted right in front of you. It’s vibrant, it’s lively, and it’s absolutely unforgettable.”
Guests will dive into an all-you-can-eat taco feast featuring bold, creative, and authentic flavors from some of the region’s most talented chefs. From traditional street-style tacos to inventive culinary twists, every bite is part of a high-stakes competition, as participating chefs battle it out for trophies, cash prizes, and ultimate bragging rights.
Complementing the cuisine, Greenville’s top bartenders will be shaking and stirring handcrafted cocktails featuring Lunazul Tequila. Whether you prefer a classic margarita or something more adventurous, attendees can sip their way through a wide range of refreshing, expertly made drinks.
Restaurants serving up the flavor this year: UP on the Roof, Group Therapy, 3’s, Core450, Sunrise BBQ, Swordfish Cocktail Club, Inkd Chef, Avenue, Califas, and more.
Beyond the food and drinks, the fiesta delivers a full-on festival atmosphere. Expect upbeat music, interactive games, crowd competitions, and plenty of surprises throughout the afternoon. Bright colors, festive décor, and a buzzing crowd create an electric environment that feels like a mini getaway in the heart of a repurposed historic Greenville mill.

GREENVILLE, S.C. – A fantastic three days of independent film in downtown culminated with judges honoring the best of the best.

Categories and Winners are:

High School – Chien Thang by Kristen Nguyen
College – fading. by Emme Patat
Documentary – A Butterfly Has Been Released by Jason Zamer & Barry Koch
Animation – Two Ships by McKinley Benson
Comedy – After Life Hunters by Connor Copeland
Horror – Recluse by Matt Webb
Drama – Sit With Me While I Die by Brian Russell
Best Short – interiorem pueri by Emily Lerer
Best Upstate – Beyond the Gingko by Francesca A Sneed
Best Southeast – Pulled Taut by Ellie Roberts
Music Video – Sober by Jessica Berggrun and Mark Johnson
Creative Commercial – Doordash: Distance Disappears by Coleman Andersen.
People’s Choice – Emergency Contact by Tyler Young
Film of Distinction – Artis Residence by Sarah Dresser
Best International – Revolution by Xinti Lim (International School Of Kuala Lumpur)

“The winners are well deserving, but were not easily chosen amongst their peers,” said Rhodes Farrell, Executive Director of Reedy Reels. “We had such an incredible display of talent this year that the gap between winners and runner ups was narrow. This is great issue to have, especially for the audience.”

About Reedy Reels:

Reedy Reels promotes the appreciation of the art of filmmaking while generating support for independent filmmakers, especially in the Upstate. The festival will engage the community and create exposure for local filmmaking while building inspiration and new opportunities for local artists. Learn more at reedyreels.com.

GREENVILLE, SC – The tree-lined streets of downtown Greenville will be home to some of the top professional cyclists in the country for an exhilarating day of racing on April 30.

Entering its third year, the Greenville Cycling Classic presented by Prisma Health will return to downtown Greenville, S.C., on April 30, 2026. Aside from the professional racers competing in this fact paced course in the heart of Greenville, community members can take part in its Ride with the Tour de France Legend while men’s and women’s collegiate races will showcase talent from across the Southeast Conference.

The event is part of USA CRITS, a series of criteriums featuring some of the fastest cycling in the United States.  

“I’m thrilled to bring high-speed crit racing back to Greenville for its third year,” said George Hincapie, 17-time Tour de France veteran and five-time Olympian. “This event is a fantastic spring highlight for the entire community to enjoy, further enriching our blossoming cycling culture here in the Upstate.”

Set on a compact, enclosed circuit, the intricate course winds its way through the vibrant city center, giving spectators an up-close view of the thrilling action. The Greenville event unfolds on an exhilarating one-kilometer loop featuring tight turns and rapid straightaways through downtown. The start/finish line, along with the evening festivities, will be centered on North Main Street at One Plaza.

This is event made for spectators and it is free to attend.

Schedule of events
• 3:00 p.m. – Men’s Category 4/5 race
• 3:35 p.m. – Collegiate Men
• 4:10 p.m. – Collegiate Women
• 4:45 p.m. – Masters 45+
• 5:30 p.m. – Ride with the Tour de France Legends
• 6:00 p.m. – Men’s Category 2/3 race
• 7:00 p.m. – Women’s Pro 1/2/3 Category race
• 8:10 p.m. – Men’s Pro 1/2 Category race

The Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC) celebrated the community’s service to the arts during its annual meeting and awards ceremony held on March 23. Shane Howell, Visual Arts department head and lead professor in graphic design at Greenville Technical College, received the Carl R. Blair Educator Award at the event.

A 29-year college employee, Howell has been instrumental in ensuring that the Visual Arts program is a highly respected hiring source for employers seeking job candidates in advertising, public relations, graphic design, website design, and professional photography. Thanks to his leadership, graduates in the program’s fine arts transfer tracks are also welcomed at four-year colleges and universities including USC Upstate and the Savannah College of Art and Design, both of which have established transfer agreements with GTC that ensure a seamless and successful transition.

Howell has grown the program’s Annual Upstate High School Art Exhibition into an event which showcases hundreds of works from regional high school artists. The show has received MAC grant funding for most of its 36-year history.

In 2014, Howell received the South Carolina Faculty Award for Service Learning given by South Carolina Campus Compact for a project he instituted in which students contributed over 284 volunteer service hours to build free websites for local non-profits, a service that could typically cost a non-profit organization $1,500 if completed by a contracted graphic designer.

Howell earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Indiana and a Master of Fine Arts from Clemson University. Prior to joining the Greenville Technical College faculty, he taught at Anderson University, the Museum School of Arts, and Clemson University. His industry experience includes positions in graphic design and creative direction.

Kim Silver has been named dean of the School of Business and Computer Technology at Greenville Technical College (GTC).

Silver brings more than 34 years of combined experience in higher education and industry, with extensive expertise in accounting and taxation. She previously served as assistant dean, providing leadership and oversight of curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, industry partnerships, and student success initiatives across more than twelve programs and concentration areas. Her background also includes a decade spent as lead accounting faculty member.

At the college, she serves as chair of the College Curriculum Committee, a Four Disciplines of Execution (4DX) coach, and an academic specialist for Quality Matters. In the community, she serves as board chair for Jasmine Road and as a site coordinator for the United Way of Greenville County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Silver holds a Master of Professional Accountancy in Taxation from Clemson University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from USC Upstate, and an Associate in Arts degree from Greenville Technical College.