After today, there are only 22 days left before the city's biggest annual festival, Taste of Douglasville, which will be held on Saturday, May 14, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., in historic downtown Douglasville.

Kicking off the party, is—what else—another party. Formerly known as Taste of the Grape, this is the first year for Picnic on the Plaza, which will be a BBQ feast held on O' Neal Plaza from 6 to 9 p.m. on May 13. In coordination with the Downtown Development Authority and the Irish Bred Pub, the Douglas County/Douglasville Cultural Arts Council will throw the party using the entertainment resources of T.A. Productions.

There's a full slate of entertainment, including jazz and cover tunes performed by Volume, T.A. Productions' house band. Singers and poets will also share the stage including Kevyn Jefferson, Theresa Morton, Rob Fields and ShaVon Collier. And if you miss these artists during their performances at Picnic on the Plaza, they will be performing later that night again at the monthly Raise the Praise party.

"We're expecting it to be a laid back event but with electrifying artists," Vonda Thorpe said, owner of T.A. Productions. "Guests will be unexpectedly surprised at the highly gifted and talented artists we have on tap for that night."

Tickets are on sale now for Picnic on the Plaza and can be purchased at the CAC, $12 for CAC members and $15 for non-members. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.artsdouglas.org or call 770-949-2787 for more information.