Taste of Marietta Arrives!

1. The 18th Annual Taste of Marietta begins at 11 a.m. and continues through 7 p.m. today. Last year, more than 100,000 people showed up; organizers expect more this year, so be ready for a serious food-loving crowd.

(Download the map from this article's photo gallery!)

More than 70 restaurants will showcase their cuisine (a full listing is available at www.tasteofmarietta.com), and musicians will perform on four stages across the historic downtown district. Gas South will sponsor culinary demonstrations; a "Kid's Corner" will offer the younger set moonwalks, sand art and other events; and a "Sports Corner" will feature the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Thrashers.

Parking will be available at any of the city lots around the square or the Cobb County Parking Deck, but not in any church or private lots. There will be parking available at with free shuttle rides provided by the .

For more information about Taste of Marietta, contact the Marietta Welcome Center & Visitors Bureau at 770-429-1115 or visit www.tasteofmarietta.com.

2. And save room for some music and booze in the evening as The Branding Project sponsors "Aftertaste," a Taste of Marietta after party from 7 to 11 p.m. at the .

A $20 ticket at the door gets you cold beer and live music provided by Bert Reeves and David Willingham. For more details, visit the event page.

3. Today also marks the final day of the Yaarab Shrine Circus at . For today, the flea market opens at 10 a.m. and the parade begins at 3 p.m. The circus will perform at 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

4. To the many fans of Marietta Patch, I suppose I should mention that I will be on vacation for the next week, so my colleague will be taking over the site (and The 5 Things). Feel free to message her at holly.roberson@patch.com with story suggestions and comments. If you have to say something about the Marietta Patch editor in absentia, do be kind.

5. As it is the beginning of a month, there are a lot of official and unofficial holidays. Of course, it's May Day and Mother Goose Day. It is also Amtrak Day, Law Day, Lei Day, Loyalty Day, National Dance Day, Stepmother's Day and Free Comic Book Day. It's even Motorcycle Mass & Blessing of the Bikes Day. But more people should practice World Laughter Day, and this site explains how and why.