ATLANTA—This Saturday, March 11, is the 135th Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the longest running event in Atlanta’s history and one of the oldest parades of its kind in the United States.

Held rain or shine, the parade will step off at noon at Peachtree Street and 15th Street and continue down Peachtree to Fifth Street. The parade is free and open to the public and is a family-friendly Atlanta tradition.

Started in 1858 by the Hibernian Benevolent Society, the parade celebrates the city’s Irish culture and history. More than 80,000 spectators have attended in recent years.

Highlights will include BMX athlete Moto Sasaki, musicians with pipes and drums, marching bands, clowns, dancers and all types of performers.

For the third year there will be a pre-parade 5K run/walk through midtown Atlanta. The race kicks off at 10 a.m., starting at Peachtree Street near 14th Street. The top male and female overall race winner will be invited to ride on a special float in the parade.

This year the parade is partnering with Colony Square in Midtown. Colony Square will host the second annual Luck of The Square celebration with a premium viewing area of the parade. Throughout the day there will be live music, green beer, food and more.

The Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade, Inc. is organized by representatives of Irish groups in Atlanta who make up the parade committee, chaired by Dave Fitzgerald. Groups include the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta, Clan Na nGael, Irish Chamber Atlanta, Firefighters Emerald Society of Metropolitan Atlanta and Metropolitan Atlanta Police Emerald Society.

For information, please visit http://atlantastpats.com. To register for the 5K, visit http://atlantastpats.com/events/.