| The 500 Festival is a non-profit organization which, in | | | | in the United States and the fifth largest running |
| its own words, serves "to advocate and celebrate | | | | event in the world. Nearly 90 thousand people show |
| the history, heritage and legacy of the Indianapolis | | | | up to this event where 35,000 competitors roll, walk |
| 500". Since 1957 this organization, through its | | | | and run the 13.1 miles, which partially navigates the |
| members and affiliates, has organized parades, | | | | world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway before |
| dances, and community events in order to help shine | | | | returning to the beautiful downtown streets of |
| the light on the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. The Indy | | | | Indianapolis. |
| 500, in many ways, has helped shape the destiny of | | | | The 500 Festival Community Day (May 26th, 2010) |
| Indianapolis and its citizens. The founders of the | | | | held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a family |
| festival were very much aware of the symbiotic | | | | friendly event, where children are not only welcome, |
| relationship between the citizens of Indianapolis and | | | | but expected. Drive the family truckster around the |
| the world's most famous auto race. | | | | world famous track where the legends of racing |
| The 500 Festival events are expected to draw | | | | made their mark. Listen to world famous bands |
| nearly 500,000.00 spectators and participants in 2010. | | | | perform live on stage. Tour the Indianapolis Motor |
| People from around the country and around the | | | | Speedway Museum. Tour the race care transport |
| world show up in Indianapolis each year to be a part | | | | trailers. See the official timing and scoring booth in the |
| of these very special festivities. The four main | | | | Pagoda. Photo opportunities and autographs from |
| events which make up the festival are the Mini | | | | championship racecar drivers are all part of the fun |
| Marathon (May 8th, 2010), the 500 Festival | | | | waiting for you and your family at Community Day at |
| Community Day (May 26th, 2010), the 500 Festival | | | | the IMS. Tickets for the event can be purchased at |
| Parade (May 29, 2010), and the Snake Pit Ball (May | | | | gates #2 and #10. Adult tickets are $7.00 and |
| 29, 2010). | | | | children under the age of 6 are free. The event |
| Each year the Festival designates a theme by which | | | | begins at 9:00 A.M. and runs until 6:00 P.M. Don't miss |
| participants and guests can rally together in honor of | | | | your chance to join in all the fun. |
| the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. In 2010 the theme will | | | | The 500 Festival Parade (May 29, 2010), held on the |
| be "Embrace the Pace" in honor of the 100th | | | | Saturday immediately prior to the 500 Mile Race, |
| anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is | | | | electrifies the streets of downtown Indianapolis as |
| not, however, the 100th running of the Indianapolis | | | | the stars of Indy join with other celebrities from |
| 500 Mile Race. Because the race did not run during | | | | around the country and around the world to |
| World Wars I and II, a total of six years passed | | | | celebrate the worlds greatest spectacle in racing. |
| without any action at the world famous oval. This | | | | Bleachers and reserved seating are available and |
| year will be the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500 | | | | secured by the purchase of a ticket. Tickets for |
| Mile Race. | | | | adults can be purchased for $18.00 for reserved |
| The Mini Marathon (May 8th, 2010) is the largest mini | | | | chairs or $14.50 for reserved bleacher seats. |