For most people, their favorite time of year is coming up: Christmas. Presents, family time, taking the kids to the mall to see Santa (whose real name is probably “Lance” and he’s just doing this gig for some extra holiday cash), and all the cheer that this time of year brings.

This Friday, we will travel the highways into packed shopping center parking lots to buy things for loved ones, and I’ve noticed one thing: Thanksgiving gets no love.

Think about it, most stores started putting up Christmas decorations the day after Halloween. The discounted candy hasn’t even cleared the shelves and you’re already shoving stocking stuffers in my face? What about Thanksgiving? I think that Thanksgiving deserves more respect than what it gets every year.

What holiday brings more friends and family together than Thanksgiving? What holiday allows you to get away with more than Thanksgiving? This is the only holiday that you can eat yourself sick and no one will judge you (which I’m sure most of us did yesterday). This is the only holiday that you can fall asleep on the couch in the middle of your third plate without doing the dishes.

As Americans, eating is what we’re all about right? (Kidding, well, kind of.) We should be thankful for what we have and enjoy the people we have to share it with.

Also, there are so many who lost their lives (and land) for this tradition, and they should definitely get more than a Charlie Brown blimp on CBS and an aisle at Kroger. All I ask is that next year, we give Thanksgiving a little more love in our hearts and stores.

Anyway ...

I hope to see you all Saturday at the Tailgate Fundraiser supporting the Free Walls Macon, “A Public Art Project” in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame parking lot. This event is to raise money for a project that will work to fill our blighted alleyways of downtown Macon with beautiful artwork.

This will not only give downtown more character, but it will help build up confidence amongst our residents who are weary of cutting through the alleys.

This project is being hosted by the Macon Millennials group. For more information on the Free Walls project, contact Bucky Helms at 461-1010.

We will have a live stream of the Big Game, (which I can’t say but every University of Georgia fan knows) as well as food vendors and alcohol for the grown-ups. Kids Yule Love will be in attendance with entertainment for the kids and if you bring an un-wrapped gift donation, you can get free general admission/or $15 tailgate spot.

After the game, there will be live music provided by the internationally known DJ Shawty Slim, Princess Davis, the Vineyard Band and yours truly.

You can come early and get a $20 tailgate parking spot or just come hang out for $5. All money raised will directly support Free Walls Macon “A Public Art Project.” Thanks to all our sponsors and the Macon Millennial’s group for making this happen! Happy weekend to you all!

Floco Torres is an artist/songwriter. Contact him at flocotorres@gmail.com.