INDIANAPOLIS — More than 200,000 people lined the streets of downtown Indianapolis to witness this May tradition.
As always, the AES 500 Festival Parade featured floats, balloons, marching bands, local celebrities and the 33 drivers that will race for the Borg-Warner Trophy at the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
This year’s parade theme was "Iconic Moments in Indy." It will pay "tribute to the legendary moments and unforgettable memories that define the city, most evident throughout the unparalleled Month of May," the organization said in a press release.
The parade will have an encore presentation on WTHR Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET.
Updates
1:50 p.m. - Things are wrapping up - thank you all for watching and have a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend!
1:40 p.m. - Always great to see the Purdue band!
1:21 p.m. - Can't wait to see their flyover before the race on Sunday!
1:14 p.m. - During the Memorial Day weekend, let's make sure to remember those military members who gave their lives serving our country.
1:03 p.m. - And you can watch an encore presentation on WTHR Channel 13 tonight at 7.
12:50 p.m. - Thank you to all our veterans!
12:42 pm. - Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
12:38 p.m. - Lol, so fun!
12:34 p.m. - The flyover was awesome!
12:26 p.m. - What a view, Sean!
12:17 p.m. - People at the end of the parade route patiently waiting.
12:12 p.m. - Boiler Up!
12:07 p.m. - "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips helping kick off the parade!
12:05 p.m. - How cool to see this every time!
11:47 a.m. - We're ready too, Dave and Dom!
11:30 a.m. - Let's get this thing going!
11:06 a.m. - Everyone is getting set.
11:00 a.m. - Very important...here are where the bathrooms are along the route.
10:55 a.m. - Vendors like Diesel Dogs, Snowie Indiana, Stadium 1 BBQ, Custard Dogs and so many more will be set up along the parade route along Michigan, Washington and Pennsylvania streets.
10:50 a.m. - Here is the band lineup:
- 38th Infantry Division Band, Indianapolis, IN – Director Patrick Palumbo*
- Grand Ledge Marching Band, Grand Ledge, MI – Director John Szczerowski
- Indianapolis Public Schools All-City Band, Indianapolis, IN – Director Josh Goodman*
- Marine Band San Diego, San Diego, CA – Director Craig Palmer
- Mater Dei Marching Wildcats, Evansville, IN (ISSMA Class D Finalist) – Director Allison Field
- National Band Association’s Indiana All-Star Band, Zionsville, IN – Director Mickey Stisher*
- Pendleton Heights Marching Arabians, Pendleton, IN (ISSMA Class B Finalist) – Director Chris Taylor
- Purdue University “All-American” Marching Band, West Lafayette, IN – Director Jay Gephart*
- Speedway High School 500 Regiment Band, Speedway, IN – Director Amy Mohl*
- Spirit of Muncie Central Band and Guard, Muncie, IN (Indiana State Fair Band Day “Top 8”) – Director Daniel Sager *
- The Pride of DeSoto Central Marching Band, Southaven, MS – Director Dennis Cox*
- The Pride of Westfield, Westfield, IN (ISSMA Class A Finalist) – Director Andrew Muth
- The Sound of Brownsburg, Brownsburg, IN (ISSMA Class A Finalist) – Director Chris Kaflik
- Washington Golden Pride, Washington, IN (ISSMA Scholastic Class B) – Director Branden Burris
- Western High School Marching Panthers, Russiaville, IN (ISSMA Class C Finalist) – Director Stephan Garber
10 40 a.m. - The parade will also present multiple featured guests and VIP appearances including actors, civic leaders, members of the 500 Festival Board of Directors, Indianapolis Motor Speedway executives, athletes, and more.
- Mike Boatright - Chair, 500 Festival board of directors
- AES Indiana representative
- Joe Hogsett - Mayor, City of Indianapolis
- Doug Boles - President, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Lieutenant General Jon A. Jensen – Director, Army National Guard
- Indy Eleven players
- Jim Cornelison - Back Home Again in Indiana singer
- Ronald McDonald
- Tarik Glenn + DREAM Alive
- Miss Indiana and Miss Indiana's Teen
- Sydney Parrish - IU basketball
- Colts players - Kenny Moore II, Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, JuJu Brents
- Brendan Sullivan - Firefighter of the Year
- Dectective James Hurt - Police Officer of the Year
- Eric Jenkins - Indiana Teacher of the Year
- John Drum - son of Sheriff Deputy of the Year
- Phillip Phillips
10:30 a.m. - This year's parade route will start at North and Pennsylvania streets in downtown Indianapolis and end at Meridian and North streets.
9:30 a.m. - The 500 Festival has selected Indiana basketball legend Tamika Catchings as the grand marshal for the 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade.
9:00 a.m. - The parade floats are ready!
Here is a photo gallery of the entire staring grid for the Indy 500 in order at the parade.
