INDIANAPOLIS — More than 200,000 people are expected to line the streets of downtown Indianapolis to witness this May tradition.
As always, the AES 500 Festival Parade will feature 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 is "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 be Saturday, May 25, with festivities beginning at 11:45 a.m. The parade will start at noon and air live on WTHR with an encore presentation Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET.
Tickets for the event cost $25. To get yours, click here. Proceeds from all 500 Festival ticketed events help support the organization’s free programming and events for Indiana youth and college students.
Route
This year's parade route will start at North and Pennsylvania streets in downtown Indianapolis and end at Meridian and North streets.
Downtown visitors should plan for street closures surrounding the parade route beginning Saturday morning until late Saturday afternoon.
Grand marshal
The 500 Festival has selected Indiana basketball legend Tamika Catchings as the grand marshal for the 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade.
Catchings is a four-time Olympic gold medalist, 10-time WNBA All-Star, five-time Defensive Player of the Year and WNBA champion during her career with the Indiana Fever.
She played in the WNBA for 16 seasons and is known as one of the greatest women to ever play basketball.
In 2004, Catchings launched the Catch the Stars Foundation, which empowers youth by providing goal-setting programs that promote fitness, literacy and youth development.
"It’s an honor to be selected as the 2024 AES 500 Festival Parade Grand Marshal," Catchings said. “To be able to showcase the achievements that I’ve worked so hard for is truly something special. I’m proud to highlight my career and the Catch the Stars Foundation, while encouraging children that they can achieve any goal they put their mind to.”
VIPs
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
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
Where to park
Arrive early downtown to give yourself plenty of time to find parking, according to parade organizers. Relax and know metered parking is limited, according to organizers.
Here are a few downtown parking and traveling tips:
- Arrive early and relax during peak exit times.
- Parking is abundant. There are more than 66,000 parking spaces downtown.
- Plan where you will park ahead of time. Plan your route ahead of time and carpool if possible. Prepare to park away from the event site.
- Enter downtown from the side on which you plan to park and park facing the direction you intend to depart.
- Plan to use a parking garage or lot. Metered parking is limited around special event areas.
More parking info can be found here.
Where to eat
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.
Where to find bathrooms
You'll want to keep these spots in mind.
