2009 Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade

The 2009 IPL 500 festival parade is on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at noon. With an event so looked forward to, there has to be a parade right?!?! The parade festivities are right in downtown Indianapolis. This is the 52^nd year of this amazing tradition and you can be a part of it this May! This is a large event and over 300,000 guests attend to kick start the race weekend. There is a huge pageantry and beautiful floats that illuminate the city of Indianapolis. This is an event that people of any age range can attend and really enjoy themselves because there is just so much. In the past the past parades, there were life size children's favorite characters such as Donnie and Eliza Thornberry, Cosmo and Wanda, Pink Panther, and the Care Bears. The grand marshals are the 33 starting race card drivers in a row of three. This is also a venue where celebrities are known to attend. The parade typically lasts until about 1:30 pm so come and enjoy this fun filled hour and half, it will really be worth your time!

Parking on the day of the event is limited to between Delaware and Illinois Streets, New York and South Streets have multiple garages and plenty of street parking. If you would like to see a map of the route, please go to http://www.500festival.com/parade/ParadeRoute.asp

If you are coming from out of town or driving from a distance, here is the best site to get directions to Indianapolis: http://www.indy.org/indianapolis/web/jsp/article/detail.jsp?c=8385165:gettingaroundmapsampdirections:menu&p=1&x=1179869999223

If you are looking for tickets for some of the parade day events such as

Breakfast at the brickyard, presented by ProLiance energy, American family insurance 500 festival community day, 500 festival character breakfast, IP a good site to get them at is: http://www.teamonetickets.com/sports/indy-racing-league/indy-500-festival-parade-tickets.html

Here is another great site to get information about the parade or other Indy events:
http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/schedule/

If you are a Purdue band and orchestra alumni, you can get information on the event by visiting: http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/schedule/

They are looking to have band alumni marching at the event so be sure to visit the site if you are an alumni and planning to attend the parade.

For all of you out there that love parades, this is one you should really attend. It is as noteworthy as the Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York City but a race with a big finish awaits this parade!

Be save and have a great time!

Information for this submission was pulled from: http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/schedule/