INDIANAPOLIS (March 7, 2018) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announces that tickets are available for all 2018 events, including the IPL 500 Festival Parade, the KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball and the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. Tickets can be purchased online at 500Festival.com. In addition, pre-registration has opened for the 2018 JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run. Proceeds from these events help support the 500 Festival’s free youth programming.
“One of our roles for the month of May is to provide a connection for the Indy 500 to our community and ensure there is something for anyone and everyone to engage in,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO, 500 Festival. “We are excited to present multiple offerings so that you can participate throughout the state or at the track, and getting tickets for 500 Festival events has never been easier. The IPL 500 Festival Parade showcases innovation and illumination with fun for the whole family while the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc., celebrates Hoosier traditions and people from Indiana’s mayors to the 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by Reis-Nichols. The JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run gives kids an opportunity to run a course sized just for them and the KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball is one of Indy’s most coveted event tickets and red carpet celebrations on race eve. We look forward to celebrating and engaging the community for the best place to be and the best month to experience anywhere in the world.”
One of the original events produced by the 500 Festival, the IPL 500 Festival Parade has grown to be one of the signature events held in the United States each year. The Parade is the only 500 Festival event that has taken place every year since the organization’s founding in 1957. The 2018 IPL 500 Festival Parade will be held on May 26, the eve of the Indianapolis 500. 300,000 spectators are expected to line the streets of Indianapolis, joined by another one million watching from their televisions around the country, to view one of the nation’s premier parades, alongside the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The IPL 500 Festival Parade allows all spectators to witness the pageantry and larger-than-life floats light up the streets of downtown Indianapolis. Well-known celebrities, marching bands, patriotic units, specialty units, spectacular floats and giant helium balloons will fill the streets to celebrate the world’s largest single-day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500.
The tradition continues with the 33 starting drivers of the Indianapolis 500 serving as honorary grand marshals the day before the race, riding in the traditional rows of three, with the winner of the pole position bringing up the rear.
This year’s Parade features new sections along the Parade route to help enhance and enrich the experience for a wide range of spectators and visitors. Sections 23 through 26 will now serve as bilingual sections, delivering the public address and Parade presentation in both English and Spanish. Sections 29 through 34 will now serve as Value Sections for families and large groups to utilize the best pricing options along the route. Value Section seating will start as low as $10.
2018 IPL 500 Festival Parade Theme: Illuminate. Innovate. Indianapolis.
- Date: Saturday, May 26
- Time: Parade festivities start at 11:45 am; Parade begins at Noon
- Location: Downtown Indianapolis
- Price: Tickets start at $10
KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball
The Keybank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball is the hottest ticket in town on race weekend. With an eclectic mix of celebrities, civic and business leaders and VIPs walking the televised red carpet, the Snakepit Ball experience is unmatched. Guests incorporate the event’s theme into their attire selection, but one thing is certain: everyone dresses to impress at this black-tie event.
Held annually at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, the KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball transforms one of Indy’s most storied venues into a party that incorporates all of your senses. Guests will enjoy unique signature cocktails presented in innovative ways, a wide variety of gourmet food options at interactive stations, and high energy, nationally known entertainment that will dazzle attendees. The 2018 Snakepit Ball marks the first year tickets will be made available to the general public, but only a limited number remain.
2018 KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball Theme: Fast & Fabulous, The Future of Speed
- Date: Saturday, May 26
- Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Location: Indiana Roof Ballroom
- Price: Tickets are $325
500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc.
Once a year, racing fans, business leaders, Indiana mayors, and the 33 500 Festival Princesses gather at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for an action-packed, Hoosier tradition – the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc.
The morning’s festivities kick off by honoring Indiana’s mayors. Mayor of Indianapolis, Joe Hogsett, hosts 70+ mayors from all corners of Indiana as we salute these civic leaders for their tireless work in advancing Hoosier communities. As guests enjoy their traditional Hoosier breakfast, they’ll hear from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 500 Festival executives.
Attendees will enjoy a lively Q&A session led by one of racing’s most iconic voices, Bob Jenkins. Bob will be joined by a racing insider who will offer unique insight into racing’s rich history and quest for innovation. Past speakers include legends such as Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Janet Guthrie, and Lyn St. James. At the conclusion of the event, the 500 Festival Queen Scholar will be announced.
- Date: Saturday, May 19
- Time: 8:30 – 10:30 am
- Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Plaza Pavilion
- Price: Tickets are $75 each; Preferred Corporate Table: $850
JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run
All kids, ages 3-10, are invited to join us for the JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run, a non-competitive fun run where everyone goes away a winner! The Rookie Run is a great way to introduce kids to the basics of running and enjoy the excitement of a race – including the start and finish line production, a massive cheering section, a trip through runner’s service and the occasional celebrity sighting!
The JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run takes place in downtown Indianapolis, one block north of Monument Circle at Ohio and Meridian streets. Run distances are set based upon a child’s age and all participants will receive a goodie bag, a participant bib with the number 1, and a finisher’s medal just like the Indy Mini participants!
- Date: Saturday, May 12
- Time: 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
- Location: Downtown Indianapolis; Ohio and Meridian Streets
- Pre-registration: $8 – commemorative technical t-shirt included
- Day-of registration: $5 registration, $5 commemorative technical t-shirt sold separately (while supplies last)
Tickets to 500 Festival events may be purchased online or at the 500 Festival Ticket Office, located at 21 Virginia Ave. in Downtown Indianapolis. The Ticket Office is open now through May 25 on weekdays from the hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
For more information about the 500 Festival and our 2018 programs and events, please visit www.500festival.com. Or, follow the 500 Festival on social media @500Festival and search each event’s hashtag on social media, #IPL500Parade, #SnakepitBall, #BrickyardBreakfast, and #500RookieRun.
About the 500 Festival
Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500® and foster positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. One of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $400 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
