Yea! City Stages is finally here. Oh, there are lots of folks that I’ve heard complaining about this or that. But I’m ready to enjoy the atmosphere, listen to some good music and have a much better time than the haters. I’ve made my game plan, figured what stages I need to be when — I even know what I’m eating. Here’s my Top Five must-dos for the weekend.

Lunch concert. If you work downtown, start your City Stages weekend off by eating lunch alfresco in Linn Park. This year’s Coca-Cola Unplugged Stage will feature L’Angelus, Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs, and Erin McCarley. Just a little something to wet your appetite. Editor’s note: No, our special section is not quite finished (not even close actually, but at least it can help you for lunchtime.

More after the jump…

Chicken-on-a-Stick and lemonade. Speaking of lunch, pretty much all my cash is going to the Penn’s Fish House concession stand. Feel in love with their fried catfish in Jackson, Miss., and in love with their chicken-on-a-stick at the bi-annual Canton Flea Market Arts and Crafts Show. It’s going to be hot folks, so during the day drink lots of fluids. For me that means lots of lots of lemonade. I’ll save the overpriced beer for after sundown.

Drum Circle/Kid’s fest. My kid was barely 3 months old for his first City Stages and didn’t care about the music because he was sleeping. This year marks his 3rd festival and we’ll spend Saturday at the drum circles and Kids’ area. And he’ll show them his moves at the Dance Depot. Our motto: Play hard, nap hard.

Buy a T-shirt. Get button. Don’t forget to get your button. You don’t have to be a dork and wear your collection of pins from every CS you’ve attended. But don’t laugh at us dorks that do. I’ll have 5 buttons this year and I’m proud of that. And I think since this is the 20th annual event, T-shirts will be selling briskly. So if you see a design you like, don’t wait until Sunday to decide you want it. I’ll also be keeping my eye out for discounted leftovers from last year.

Try something new. So what if you’ve never heard of some of the acts. Open your ears and you just might find a new favorite act. And when you do, I want to know. Tell me what bands are on your must-see list. On mine is Old Crow Medicine Show and Al Green. Then come back and tell me if your must-sees rocked or not.

Okay, okay. If a really cool music festival really isn’t your thing, head to Petals from the Past near Jemison for their annual Black and Blue Berry Festival Saturday. Berry fields open at 9 a.m. Pick your own $5 a pint. They’ll have blue grass music, food, petting zoo and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.