Bands

The application period for Bands for the 2013 IPL 500 Festival Parade has closed.

What is the 500 Festival Parade?

Intertwined with Memorial Day weekend and the Indianapolis 500®, the IPL 500 Festival Parade is a time-honored tradition in Indianapolis. The two-mile Parade is a true celebration of the city and the famous Indianapolis 500. Each year’s event is a spectacular show! Over the past 56 years,
the Parade has grown to be recognized as one of the nation’s premier parades. The tradition continues each year with breath-taking floats, balloons, celebrities, 500 Festival Princesses, marching bands and the 33 drivers of the Indianapolis 500 serving as Honorary Grand Marshals.

When?         

May 25, 2013. The Parade always takes place the Saturday prior to the famous Indianapolis 500® Mile Race.

Where?

Downtown Indianapolis. The Parade route stretches two miles through the crowd-lined streets of downtown Indianapolis.

Who?

More than 300,000 spectators line the Parade route to watch the festivities. Indianapolis 500 drivers, celebrities, floats, balloons, specialty units and marching bands from across the country participate in the Parade.

Don't miss an action-packed weekend of activities!

BAND PARTY! Enjoy music, food, dancing and meet people from the other schools and organizations marching in the Parade! This private Band Party is held the night of the Parade.

MEDIA COVERAGE! Receive extensive local,regional and national publicity in print, television and radio! The Parade is nationally televised on NBC Sports Network and locally in Central Indiana on WISH TV, a CBS affiliate. Print coverage includes The Indianapolis Star and regional newspapers.
Radio coverage provided by several local Indianapolis stations.

PRE-RACE BAND PAGEANT! Participate in the Indianapolis 500 Pre-Race Band Pageant and enjoy a complimentary reserved seat in the grandstand
area to watch the race, a free box lunch and a special race souvenir!
*All activities subject to change