| The 500 Festival Parade | | | | on the East, and from 16th Street on the North to |
| Held on the Saturday immediately prior to the 500 | | | | Washington Street on the South. The streets begin |
| Mile Race, electrifies the streets of downtown | | | | closing at 6:00 A.M., so plan your route carefully to |
| Indianapolis as the stars of Indy join with other | | | | avoid these areas. Bleachers and reserved seating are |
| celebrities from around the country and around the | | | | available and secured by the purchase of a ticket. |
| world to celebrate the worlds greatest spectacle in | | | | Tickets for adults can be purchased for $18.00 for |
| racing. This parade has been an annual event in | | | | reserved chairs or $14.50 for reserved bleacher seats. |
| Indianapolis since 1957. | | | | Special accommodations for wheel chairs can be |
| The 500 Festival Parade features balloons of famous | | | | provided, if arranged at the time you order your |
| cartoon characters, marching bands, dance troupes, | | | | tickets. |
| themed floats, 33 Indy 500 festival princesses, | | | | Tips that you may fine helpful: |
| popular celebrities, and the fearless young racers, of | | | | 1. Purchase tickets for the parade in advance. Unlike |
| course. Watch for your favorite movie star or music | | | | most parades, the Indy 500 Festival Parade requires |
| artist. See and be seen. On the Saturday before the | | | | tickets. These are easily available through many online |
| worlds most famous auto race, this is the place to | | | | ticket outlets and this event regularly sells out. |
| be. The event will also be televised on Indianapolis | | | | 2. Make travel plans to get to Indianapolis. If you are |
| WISH TV-8. | | | | lucky enough to live within driving distance of the |
| The atmosphere is family friendly by design. The | | | | city, it will be easier for you. If you have to fly, make |
| organizers of the parade are always sure to provide | | | | your reservations as early as possible, as this is the |
| entertainment the whole family can enjoy, especially | | | | busiest weekend for Indy and most flights sell out. If |
| the younger fans. The parade starts at noon, but be | | | | you can't get a flight, check flights to nearby airports |
| sure to get there early as this event is expected to | | | | like Louisville and Chicago. |
| draw more than 300,000 fans and if you haven't | | | | 3. Secure a hotel room early. Just like the flights, |
| purchased a reserved seat, the free curbside viewing | | | | hotels in the Indianapolis area will be just as scarce. |
| venues are finders keepers. | | | | The closer to the track you try to find a room, the |
| Former Grand Marshals include Jimmy Stewart, | | | | harder it will be. Be prepared to drive a little bit to |
| President, Walter Cronkite, Gerald Ford, Vice | | | | get to the festival. |
| President Dan Quayle, Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The | | | | 4. Be sure to arrive early on parade day. Round up |
| Grand Marshal for the 2010 parade is expected to be | | | | your family early and scout out a front row seat to |
| announced on or about May 1, 2010. | | | | watch the festivities. It is recommended that you |
| The parade route begins at the intersection of | | | | arrive several hours before the start of the parade. |
| Pennsylvania and North streets, runs south to | | | | Which brings us to... |
| Washington Street, turns right (West) on Washington | | | | 5. Bring lawn chairs and some snacks. Don't forget |
| Street for one block to Meridian Street, turns right | | | | water. Indianapolis usually has great weather this time |
| (North) and continues to 11th street where the | | | | of year and the time before the parade offers |
| parade route ends. Streets will be closed the morning | | | | fantastic people watching. Once you have a spot, |
| of the parade from Illinois on the West to Delaware | | | | make yourself comfortable and wait for the action. |