Indy 500

The Indianapolis AES 500 Festival Parade

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The month of May in the Indianapolis area is one reminder after another that the famed Indy 500 Mile Race is coming. Local companies use checkered flags, references to racing, and any other connection to the race that they can think of. Media covers the events of the month including not only activities at the track, but also beauty pageants, balls, concerts, half marathons and of course the parade. All celebrates the 2023 version of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.

The 500 Festival Parade again is sponsored by Indy’s electric service company, AES. This parade is one of the original festival events and is one of the highlights of the month of May in Indianapolis. The parade courses through downtown Indianapolis with over 200,000 spectators lining the streets. The parade is filled with floats, giant helium balloons, award-winning bands, celebrities and dignitaries,  and all 33 of the drivers in this year’s Indy 500. One of the premier parades in the country, it stands with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The 2023 AES 500 Festival Parade will take place on Saturday, May 27, in downtown Indianapolis. The Parade will be broadcast locally on WTHR(NBC), and nationally on Peacock.

 

Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, The Greatest Spectacle in Racing

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Entrance to the tunnel access to the IMS infield. That is Helio Castroneves celebrating last year’s win with the traditional bottle of milk.

During the month of May in Indianapolis (and most of central Indiana for that matter) pretty much everything turns into a black and white checkered flag. The ads on local TV and in print find every conceivable way to cash in on race jargon: “Race in today for savings” or “You’ll always win with our product” or some such. It’s a Hoosier thing.

That’s the back of the grandstand at turn 1 of the track.

There’s that checkered flag! IMS is just ahead

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The race this year will be the 106th running of this historic event. The pandemic forced the IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) to ban fans in 2020 for the delayed August race. In 2021 a mere 135,000 we allowed into the grounds. This year, however, there will be no restrictions on numbers. At least 325,000 are expected. The IMS never reveals actual attendance. Never has.

Official souvenir stand: look for the winged tire logo

A fun background for a photo memory!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The race will run tomorrow, May 29th with the green flag waved at 12:45 PM. The gates will open at 6AM and thousands of fans will be lined up waiting to get in. Always happens. Weather should be great with no rain in sight.