Another cold snap, an unpromising Groundhog’s Day prediction, and we’re warming ourselves on thoughts of Atlanta’s big gay Pride festival in October? Yup, and you will too if you’re smart.

Besides a cozy sensation we get just thinking about Pride, why would you want to start planning your parade entries or marketplace vendor registrations now? Because when they start accepting them on Feb. 15, you’ll have two weeks to get the early bird special. If you file yours after March 1, you miss the fee discounts.

But wait. Pay attention for just a second more.

The applications that cause the most kerfuffle and clamoring for consideration are for the stage enteratiners. Listen up, singers, bands and other would-be Pride performers: Feb. 15 is also the date for entertainers to start applying to be considered for the limited and coveted 2014 entertainment slots. Accepted for several months through summer, the entertainment deadline is longer than the other applications, but people bitch every year when it closes. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.