Raising the Flag for Talent in Douglasville

A picture perfect Saturday and the promise of lively entertainment drew a substantial crowd to the downtown Douglasville's , as the third annual “Douglasville’s Got Talent” competition got underway.

Vendors set up along blocked off sections of Church Street, and kids frolicked in a bounce house while waiting for the competition to begin.

“It’s basically set up like a block party,” Iteeah Pounds of Mainstreet Douglasville said, scanning the crowd before taking her seat at the judges table. More than a dozen acts took the stage, ranging from dancing to rapping to flagpole juggling (mixed with dancing) to guitar playing and singing.

“It’s a nice range,” emcee Tashira Mead commented.  “I can’t believe it’s
been three years.” Mead greeted the crowd, commended the contestants and judges, and asked for a moment of silence and prayer for the victims of the recent tornadoes that whipped through Georgia during the past week.

Three years of experience smoothed most of the kinks out of the program, which flowed relatively smoothly, although with somewhat fewer contestants than last year.

The Explosion Children’s Choir took first place in the Junior category for their song, dance and rap version of “Joyful, Joyful.”

Nine-year-old Jasmine Hammock has been performing with the group for two years. This was their second competition, she says.  “The hardest part was having to move with everyone while singing.  That was tough.”

Tatnika Ball, who guided the group, thanked the kids for “working so hard to pull it together, and my sister for helping me.”

Ball and her sister, Shante, won the Adult category for their song-and-dance rendition of “Alabaster Box.”

Justin Martin and Kayla Hansen won the Teen category for their dance and color guard routine, done to the tune “As Long As You Are Mine” from the hit musical “Wicked.”

The event coincided with the Douglasville Spring Homes Tour, which was going on throughout the day with the Downtown Douglasville Association.