Brush up on your history, grab your running shoes and head to Alpharetta for a day in August.

The city in north Fulton County and American Legion Post 201 will host the 65th annual Old Soldiers Day Parade on Aug. 5, and the event will include an 8K race.

A form of the parade began in the early 1900s as a tribute to veterans of the Civil War. In 1952, Alpharetta began hosting the parade annually for veterans of all wars.

In Civil War history, Aug. 5 includes the Battle of Baton Rouge in 1862 and the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864, both Union victories.

This year, the day’s events begin on Roswell Street at 9:15 a.m., with songs from the city band. A memorial service will follow at 10 a.m., and the parade begins at 10:30 a.m. The parade ends at American Legion Post 201 on Wills Road where there will be free Varsity hot dogs, drinks and activities.

The parade will feature floats and bands from local high schools. It is a rain-or-shine event.

The 8K race starts a few hours before the parade at Wills Park. The chip-timed race will begin at 7 a.m. that day. Registration begins at 6 a.m.

The cost to enter the race is $24 and includes a keepsake race T-shirt.

For more information on the race and parade, visit Alpharetta's website.

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