The annual Spring Shop Hop will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in downtown Marietta. The event is sponsored by Marietta Main Street. (File photo)

Downtown Marietta will celebrate the beginning of spring with the annual Shop Hop hosted by Marietta Main Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Participating businesses will be identified by the balloons outside their doors, and each purchase at those businesses will earn a raffle ticket for a prize drawing. The prize basket is filled with products from each business and is valued at more than $300.

Seasonal Shop Hops bring the downtown retailers, all independently owned, a much-appreciated boost in traffic, said Jennifer Tinkler, executive director of Marietta Main Street.

“Our Shop Hops are always a popular event,” she said. “They give people a chance to enjoy a beautiful day in downtown Marietta while shopping, dining and discovering the unique businesses that make our downtown such a special place.”

Seasonal Shop Hops are one of multiple programs hosted by Marietta Main Street. Others include First Fridays, the Build Up Marietta building and business improvement grant program, downtown beautification, public art, Main Street West, small business support and Hometown Holidays.

The mission of the organization is to bring visitors downtown to enjoy the many unique, independently owned businesses. To learn more about Marietta Main Street, upcoming events, and programs, go to www.mariettamainstreet.org.