Registration for the 2011 500 Festival Princess Program is now open. Click here to apply! 

I. 500 Festival Princess Eligibility Requirements

Candidates for the 2011 500 Festival Princess Program must meet the following qualifications:

• Candidates must be a resident of Indiana and presently be enrolled as a full-time student through spring semester at a fully accredited college or university located in the state of Indiana; taking a minimum of 12 academic hours for undergraduate studies and a minimum of nine (9) academic hours for graduate studies; in good standing and not on scholastic probation. 
• Candidates must have maintained a cumulative college GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.  If a candidate’s most recent semester’s GPA is above a 2.8, yet her cumulative GPA remains below a 2.8, the candidate will NOT be eligible for the 2011 500 Festival Princess Program.
• Candidates must include three (3) character references (i.e. professor, advisor, coach, church leader, etc.) which are not family members.  Please include contact information as well. No letters please!
• Candidates must be female.
• Candidates must be involved in at least one worthwhile extra-curricular college or community service activity.
• Candidates must reach the age of 18 by January 1, 2011, but be no older than 23 years of age by May 31, 2011.
• Candidates must be single with no children, and have never married and agree not to marry before May 31, 2011.
• Candidates must claim legal residence in the state of Indiana and be able to demonstrate proof of residency via a valid Indiana State driver’s license.
• Candidates who have at least one immediate family member either currently employed by the 500 Festival, currently serving on the 500 Festival Board of Directors, an employee of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or the IZOD IndyCar® Series are not eligible to apply.
• Candidates must be able to attend the 500 Festival Princess Orientation in February.
• Candidates must be able to attend and willing to make a 2-3 minute speech about herself at the 500 Festival Princess Reception in April  as part of the Public Speaking Competition for the selection of the 2011 500 Festival Queen.
• Candidates must be available for all 500 Festival events during the month of May (unless participating in graduation ceremonies).
• Candidates must have a valid Indiana driver’s license and must provide her own transportation for all 500 Festival events and activities.
• All Princesses are eligible to be selected 500 Festival Queen. When a Princesses is selected as the 2011 500 Festival Queen, she must furnish evidence of her intent to continue her formal education in order to take advantage of the 2011 500 Festival Queen’s scholarship. The 500 Festival Queen will be the ONLY recipient of a scholarship. No scholarships will be awarded to the remaining 32 Princesses.

  II. Rules

1. Each candidate must first submit an official application, complete with a copy of her valid Indiana driver’s license, college transcript, three (3) character references' names and phone numbers, and photograph by noon on Friday, January 7, 2011.
2. Failure to attend the selection interview will result in disqualification and applicant will not be allowed to make up interview.
3. Selection as a 2011 500 Festival Princess prohibits eligibility in any future 500 Festival Princess Selections.
4.  Participants may not endorse products or appear in advertisements as a representative of the 500 Festival or Indianapolis Motor Speedway without written consent of the President/CEO of the 500 Festival and an approved representative of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
5. 500 Festival Princesses may take part in any other type of pageant or contest throughout their reign.  However, if another pageant title is held and a scheduling conflict should arise, the Princess agrees to make the 500 Festival events and activities her top priority throughout the Month of May.
6. The decision of indelendent panel of judges for the 2011 500 Festival Princesses and the selection of the 500 Festival Queen will be final. In the event the 500 Festival Queen marries (prior to May 31, 2011), is disqualified, or is prevented from fulfilling her designated obligations, the first runner-up will serve as the 2011 500 Festival Queen.
7. 500 Festival Princesses will conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as is consistent with the highest moral and ethical standards.  This includes, but is not limited to, avoidance of all of the following: a conviction of felony or misdemeanor; alcohol or other drug abuse/solicitation; nudity, full or partial; public nuisance; and/or inappropriate behavior deemed by the 500 Festival as detrimental to and in depreciation of the interests of the 500 Festival, its representatives, sponsors or licensees.  The Princesses will forfeit all rights, title, or claim to any title designations, prizes, or awards, conferred upon her immediately as a result of any conduct which, in the sole discretion of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is deemed to be adverse to the interests of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, their representatives, sponsors or licensees.  In addition, an alternate Princess with the 34^th highest Princess Selection score will be selected to replace the dismissed Princess in all of her duties, activities, and prizes.
8.  The Princesses acknowledge that it is in the interest and benefit of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to make personal appearances on behalf of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including, but not limited to, appearances and performances on radio, television, or any other broadcast media and charitable service, endorsement, or advertising appearances, without compensation. The Princesses will comply faithfully with such reasonable requests for personal appearances. Absence or habitual tardiness will constitute the relinquishment of the 2011 500 Festival Princess title and gifts.

III. How are the 33 Princesses selected?

     Selection is based on personal projection, motivation and commitment. The 33 women chosen

     to represent the 500 Festival should possess the following characteristics:

• Exceptional poise and appearance
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Strong desire to serve others through community service - Volunteerism
• Maturity and responsibility
• Academic achievement
• Team Player – the ability to work well with others
• Hard Worker
• Patience and flexibility
• Great sense of humor
•  High energy level
• Unselfish –giving of herself to others

 A panel of independent judges will interview all candidates on January 29, 2011. Then 66 candidates will proceed to a second round of interviews on February 12, 2011. The final 33 Princesses will be selected on that day. All candidates will be notified by e-mail the week of Feb. 13, 2011, if they were selected to serve as one of the 33 500 Festival Princesses.

IV. Activity Timeline

As a 500 Festival Princess, you will:

•  Represent the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 500 Festival by actively supporting these organizations’ mission, values, and goals.
• Serve by attending and actively participating in 500 Festival statewide outreach initiatives in your hometown, as well as by serving at required events and social functions.
• Volunteer in activities surrounding the 500 Festival and Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the Month of May. 
•  Learn by taking advantage of opportunities for personal development, volunteerism, and community involvement.
• Contribute by working and volunteering at 500 Festival activities side by side with your fellow Princesses. 
•  Have fun and make new friends through festival volunteerism – one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of participation in the 500 Festival Princess Program.

 Please review the following schedule of important dates in the 500 Festival Princess Selection process. If selected as a 500 Festival Princess, you MUST attend the following events. Failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification from the 500 Festival Princess Program. ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

•  January 29, 2011: Princess selection interviews (all entrants; 66 will proceed to second round of interviews)
• February 12, 2011: Princess Selection Interviews; (33 princesses will be chosen from 66 candidates)
•  February 26, 2011: Orientation for the 2011 500 Festival Princesses 
• April 23, 2011: Queen interviews
•  April 30, 2011: Princess/Director Reception and Public Speaking Competition for the Selection of the 2011 500 Festival Queen

Additional Events

In 2011, the 500 Festival Princesses must attend the following events:

• 500 Festival Training Series; Saturdays, March 5, and April 9, 2011
• 500 Festival Education Program Study Trips; various dates in April and May
• OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K and ancillary events, including but not limited to, the 500 Festival Expo; May 5-7, 2011
• Volunteer Appreciation Day; Saturday, May 14, 2011
• Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day and Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run; Sunday, May 15, 2011
• Indianapolis 500 Qualifications – Pole Day; Saturday, May 21, 2011
• 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard and Queen Coronation; Saturday, May 21, 2011
• American Family Insurance 500 Festival Community Day; Wednesday, May 25, 2011
• 500 Festival Memorial Service; Friday, May 27, 2011
•  IPL 500 Festival Parade; Saturday, May 28, 2011
• Indianapolis 500; Sunday, May 29; 2011

As ambassadors for the 500 Festival, the 500 Festival Princesses will be asked to play a larger role in the 500 Festival statewide outreach initiatives.  Each 500 Festival Princess will be responsible for securing appearances close to or in her hometown and will work closely with the 500 Festival’s Princess Program Coordinator and Communications Manager to develop messaging, talking points, and presentations. These appearances will take place in February through May of 2011.

In addition to the above REQUIRED activities, the 2011 500 Festival Princesses are also encouraged to participate in the following activities. If a Princess chooses to participate in one of these activities, she is responsible for her own transportation.

• St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Indianapolis, IN
• Visits to community centers, hometown schools, and community organizations/associations
• Hospital and nursing home visits
• And more!

 **Important Note: The 500 Festival Queen will be REQUIRED to attend all of the above 500 Festival and Indianapolis Motor Speedway events.  In addition, she will be asked to make extensive media and publicity appearances on behalf of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and will work closely with the 500 Festival’s Princess Program Coordinator and Communications Manager on messaging, talking points, and presentations.